Russian gas: an agreement reached between the United States and Europe to reduce dependence

A month after the start of the Ukrainian conflict, the United States and the European Union have agreed on the terms of the contract to allow Europeans to reduce their dependence on Russian gas. The country of Uncle Sam will supply an additional 15 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe, announced this morning, Joe Biden, the American president, in Brussels.

“We come together to reduce European dependence on Russian energy. Russian energy sources are used to bring to their knees the states that buy them,” said the American president. And to add: “Earlier this month, the United States announced an import ban on all Russian energy so as not to fuel the unjustified and wanton war in Ukraine.”

Reduce imports by two thirds

Alongside Joe Biden in the capital of Europe, Ursula von der Leyen, from the presidency of the European Commission, was delighted to find the beginnings of a solution to work for the Union’s energy independence from of Russia. “The transatlantic partnership is stronger and more united than ever,” she stressed during her speech. “We are determined to stand up against the war in Ukraine. We continue to strengthen our cooperation on many axes, whether on the humanitarian or energy front”.

This meeting is a first step in the perspective of doing without Russian gas. But, this addiction will not disappear overnight. Nearly 45% of European purchases come from Russia. The European Commission thus wishes to reduce imports of Russian gas by two thirds this year. The diversification of suppliers is one of the solutions, at the risk of embarking on a new dependence with the United States.