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LNG imports from Russia up 40 percent from pre-war levels

Friday, 08 September 2023 11:23 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 08 September 2023 11:23 AM ]

EU imports Russian LNG despite EU embargo on Russia

The EU is vilifying Moscow while, at the same time, having increased Russian LNG purchases by 40% from prewar figures, benefiting from supplies that are much cheaper than those being exported to the EU from the US.

EU authorities did not want data on liquefied natural gas, LNG, to be made public as it makes for embarrassing reading.

Environmental watchdog, Global Witness, has revealed that countries in the 27 nation bloc bought 21.6 million cubic meters of LNG from Russia between January and July this year, a massive 40% increase when compared to pre war levels.

EU LNG imports from Russia up 40% compared to pre-war levels

EU imports of Russian gas increased by 40%

EU imports of Liquified Natural Gas from Russia increased by 40 percent compared to pre-war levels.

The European Commission has confirmed the figures but insists they don't tell the full story

Since February 2022, the EU has ended all imports of Russian coal. It's reduced Russian oil imports by around 90% and we've cut total Russian gas imports by around two thirds.

Tim McPhie, EU Energy Spokesperson

However, despite its ongoing demonization of Russia, the bloc was the Federation's largest customer for LNG in the January to July period, there's nothing to suggest that has changed since (then).

Most of the Russian LNG is shipped into Spain, Belgium and France; however, other EU nations such as the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Finland, Italy and Sweden are also opening up their ports to the fuel. It's then distributed to other EU members.

Kremlin decries US plan to give seized Russian money to Ukraine military

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Washington was transferring to Ukraine $5.4 million in "assets seized from sanctioned Russian oligarchs."

Russia's financial sector is on life support.

Ursula Von der Leyen, European Commission President

12 months ago European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, painted a dire picture regarding Russia's economy.

Russia's industry is in tatters

Ursula Von der Leyen, European Commission President

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Russia's Gazprom Neft abandons dollar in favor of yuan in fueling planes in China

The oil arm of Russia’s major gas corporation Gazprom – Gazprom Neft – begins to abandon the US dollar in favor of the Chinese yuan in settling payments for fueling planes throughout China, the company’s CEO says.

In the few months following her comments the EU has paid Russia €5.3 billion for Liquefied Natural Gas.

Experts say EU leaders are making a mockery of themselves due to their double standards regarding Russia.

We don't hear anymore Ursula von der Leyen saying that the Russian economy is in tatters because (the) European economy is in tatters And if we cut off the gas and oil from Russia, then, here in Europe, we would be in deep trouble.

Elijah Magnier, EU Foreign Policy Analyst

Poverty is growing in the EU and some political commentators claim the LNG scandal is further evidence that those driving the war in Ukraine are highly influential people with close links to the arms industry.