The EU and its dependency on Russian gas

The Russian giant Gazprom's decision to unilaterally cut gas supplies to some EU countries is unjustified, unacceptable and is a provocation from the Kremlin, the chief of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has said. Von der Leyen made the statement during the works of the Gas Coordination Group shortly after Russia had cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after their refusal to pay in roubles. Ursula von der Leyen has branded the Russian giant Gazprom's decision as an act of blackmail.

Ursula von der Leyen: "Gazprom's announcement that is unilaterally stopping gas deliveries to certain EU member states is another provocation from the Kremlin. But it comes as no surprise that the Kremlin uses fossil fuel to try to blackmail us. This is something the European Commission has been preparing for in close coordination and solidarity with member states and international partners. Our response will be immediate, united and coordinated. First we will ensure that Gazprom's decision has the least possible impact on European consumers. Today, the Kremlin failed once again in its attempt to sow division among member states. The era of Russian fossil fuel in Europe is coming to an end. Europe is moving forward on energy issues"

The European Union needs reliable energy suppliers and Russia's latest decision proves it is not such a supplier the EU chief has also said. Ursula von der Leyen has given assurances that at the EU level, efforts are being made to ensure alternative gas supplies adding that the storage levels are presently the best in the entire Union. Ursula von der Leyen has also explained the decision to cut gas supplies affects Russia in the first place, as the country will reduce its revenues.

She says that the sixth package of European sanctions will come at the right time and could also include sanctions against the Russian gas and oil. According to the EU official, the REPower action plan will this year start to contribute to the significant reduction of the bloc's dependency on fossil fuels from Russia and that in mid-May the Commission will present plans aimed at stepping up the green transition.

The EU has other options to offset the gas supply cuts, says the EU official who called on the members not to breach the sanctions imposed on Russia after the latter's invasion of Ukraine. In March, president Putin announced that Russia would only accept payment in roubles for its gas deliveries to countries that are unfriendly to Russia.  Brussels has described the move as a breach of contract though. Russia, which carries on its invasion of Ukraine, is presently denying the accusations of using gas as a blackmail instrument saying that it is a reliable energy supplier.

(bill)