The European Union (EU) is in talks with the United States and other suppliers about increasing gas deliveries to Europe amid concerns about supplies from Russia, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“We are building a partnership for energy security with the United States, mainly on increased supply of LNG gas. We are talking to other gas suppliers, for example Norway, about increased deliveries to Europe,” von der Leyen said at a conference organized by German media Der Tagesspiegel, Die Zeit, Handelsblatt and Wirtschaftswoche this Monday (7).
Growing tensions between the West and Moscow over Ukraine have raised concerns about Russian gas flows to Europe. Prices have risen to record levels in recent months amid factors such as lower-than-expected imports from Russia.
Europe’s gas storage is about 10% lower than normal for this time of year. Gazprom said it is fulfilling all long-term contracts, but has been accused by EU officials and the International Energy Agency of contributing to an insufficient supply amid the standoff over Ukraine.
Von der Leyen said it was “strange” that Gazprom seemed uninterested in increasing gas supplies to Europe despite record prices and huge demand.
“There are growing signs that the Kremlin continues to use the gas supply as a means of exerting political pressure,” he said.
Russia supplies around 40% of the EU’s gas. The potential impact on that offer if Russia invades Ukraine has led the EU to increase its demand for offers from other countries.
Source: CNN Brasil
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