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https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/30/eu-imports-of-russian-liquified-gas-leap-by-40-since-ukraine-invasion>
"EU imports of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) have increased by 40% since
the invasion of Ukraine despite efforts to cut down supplies.
Member states have bought more than half of Russia’s LNG on the market in the
first seven months of this year, according to analysis of data by Kpler, which
tracks marine and tanker traffic.
Spain and Belgium, which acts as major gateways for LNG supplies to the bloc,
have emerged as the second and third-biggest customers of Russian LNG
respectively after China.
“EU countries now buy the majority of Russia’s supply, propping up one of the
Kremlin’s most important sources of revenue,” said Jonathan Noronha-Gant, a
senior fossil fuel campaigner at the anti-corruption group Global Witness,
which did the analysis.
Europe’s pipeline gas flows from Russia have fallen to historic lows since the
invasion last year as countries wean themselves off it, but to make up for the
shortfall shipments of cooled LNG from all over the world, including Russia,
have surged and are not subject to any EU sanctions.
EU countries bought 22m cubic metres of Russian LNG between January and July
2023, compared with 15m during the same period in 2021, Global Witness said.
“Buying Russian gas has the same impact as buying Russian oil. Both fund the
war in Ukraine, and every euro means more bloodshed. While European countries
decry the war, they’re putting money into Putin’s pockets,” Noronha-Gant said.
“These countries should align their actions with their words by banning the
trade of Russian LNG that is fuelling both the war and the climate crisis.”
Spain and Belgian said the numbers did not reflect national purchasing but the
fact that their ports were major gateways for the rest of the continent.
European leaders spent 2022 reducing their reliance on Russian energy and
trying to build alternative supplies after the country’s president, Vladimir
Putin, closed off the gas taps to Europe."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
