European Union nations have escalated their import of liquefied pure fuel (LNG) from Russia regardless of the continued battle in Ukraine. This surge comes as a contradiction to the EU’s acknowledged goal of lowering reliance on Russian fossil fuels within the coming years.
From January to July 2023, European Union nations bought 22 million cubic meters of LNG, which is a 40% enhance in comparison with 15 million cubic meters throughout the identical interval in 2021. This implies they purchased extra pure fuel from Russia. The estimated value of those purchases for 2023 is round €5.29 billion based on calculations by International Witness.
Picture Supply: CREA
Hypocrisy of Europe sanctions
The European Union has already imposed sanctions on the import of Russian coal and seaborne oil. India, China and Türkiye had been known as out for purchasing Russian oil and to have blood on their arms. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice that Russian LNG and fuel don’t at the moment fall below these EU sanctions which is being purchased at a 40% enhance, thus, the hypocrisy of EU sanctions in clear mild.
At present, Spain has change into the second-largest international purchaser of Russian LNG, intently adopted by Belgium. In 2023, Spain acquired 18% of Russia’s general gross sales, whereas Belgium secured 17%. Notably, China accounted for 20% of the purchases throughout the identical interval.
“Shopping for Russian fuel has the identical impression as shopping for Russian oil.” Acknowledged by Jonathan Noronha-Gant, senior campaigner at International Witness.
Noronha Gant additional stated that buying Russian fuel holds equal penalties as buying Russian oil. Each contribute to financing the battle in Ukraine, with each euro translating to additional violence. Regardless of European nations condemning the warfare, their monetary transactions are primarily supporting Putin’s pursuits. These international locations must synchronize their actions with their declarations by prohibiting the commerce of Russian LNG, which not solely sustains the battle but in addition exacerbates the local weather disaster.