Despite Russia’s war in Ukraine, Sweden continues to import Russian fossil gas.
The Green Party strongly criticizes the government’s failure to introduce sanctions.
– It is a betrayal of the Ukrainian population, says Linus Lakso (MP), energy policy spokesperson.
Since Russia began its war of invasion in Ukraine, around 30 ships with Russian gas have called in Sweden. The estimated value exceeds one billion kroner.
This morning another ship arrived loaded with fossil gas from Russia.
– I think it’s a shame, says the Green Party’s energy policy spokesperson Linus Lakso.
“Betrayal of the Ukrainian population”
He emphasizes that the imports help finance Russia’s war of aggression.
– I think it is a betrayal of the Ukrainian population. The least we can do in this matter is to immediately stop the Swedish import of Russian fossil gas.
Gasum, a Finnish state-owned company, supplies the gas to Sweden. They are bound by a multi-year purchase contract with Russia’s Gazprom – and without sanctions they cannot stop supplies.
– We have to take a certain amount of LNG (liquefied fossil gas) annually. If it does not correspond to the amount, we still have to pay. That’s how it looks. Since the war started, we have delivered the minimum amount, says Olga Väisänen, communications and sustainability manager Gasum.
– If the EU or an individual member state, we will of course follow these sanctions.
The government is investigating the matter
Already in May, a unanimous Riksdag voted to call on the government to work towards an end to Swedish energy imports from Russia as soon as possible.
Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) declines an interview with TV4 Nyheterna, but recently stated that the government is investigating the matter. Primarily, he wants to see a joint decision in the EU, not impose sanctions as an individual country.
But Linus Lakso does not buy the explanation.
– They should introduce sanctions immediately at the national level. The Baltic countries have already done that a long time ago. Now Finland also announces that it intends to ban the import of Russian fossil gas. So I think it is strange that the Swedish government is so late and does not act, he says.