While it largely depends on Russian gas for heating and production, the European Union took action a few days ago to reduce dependence on Russia. The Baltic states, meanwhile, have stopped importing Russian natural gas.
Russian natural gas no longer shipped to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania since April 1 ”, explained the CEO of the Latvian storage company Conexus Baltic Grid, Uldis Bariss, on the Latvian radio.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also announced the end of Russian gas imports. ” From this month no more Russian gas in Lithuania “, he tweeted, also calling on the rest of the European Union to follow the example of the Baltic countries. ” Years ago, my country took decisions that allow us today to easily sever energy ties with the aggressor “, he also said. ” If we can do it, the rest of Europe can do it too! “, he said. The Baltic countries are now served by gas reserves stored underground in Latvia.
From this month on – no more Russian gas in Lithuania ??.
Years ago my country made decisions that today allow us with no pain to break energy ties with the aggressor.
If we can do it, the rest of Europe ?? can do it too!
— Gitanas Nauseda (@GitanasNauseda) April 2, 2022
Gas pipeline between Poland and Lithuania
Lithuania imported 30% of its gas from Russia, according to the energy minister. It will now buy it from the United States and Norway. Vilnius is aware that energy has always been considered by Russia as a means of political pressure, the diversification of supply sources began a long time ago.
In 2014, an LNG carrier called Independence was inaugurated, reminds our correspondent in Vilnius, Marielle Vitureau. Capable of receiving up to 5 billion cubic meters of gas per year, it will cover Lithuania’s gas needs, especially for heating and industrial production.
At the beginning of May, the gas pipeline between Lithuania and Poland should also be operational. But the needs in the region are significant and the three Baltic countries are discussing the construction of another LNG carrier. At the same time, in recent months Lithuania has given a boost to the development of wind and solar energy.
Gas paid in rubles
According to Eurostat, in 2020 Russia accounted for 93% of Estonian natural gas imports, 100% of Latvian imports. The United States banned the import of Russian oil and gas after the invasion of Ukraine, but not the EU, which was sourcing around 40% from Russia in 2021.
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Moscow’s announcement on Thursday to force buyers from countries ” unfriendly to pay for Russian gas in rubles from accounts in Russia could, however, be a game-changer. Germany, particularly dependent on Russian gas, said on Friday that it wanted to analyze the concrete consequences of this Kremlin decree, intended above all to support the ruble. Berlin, like the other EU countries, refuses any payment in rubles to Moscow.
(And with AFP)