Persistent increase of Russian liquified natural gas imports in the EU
12.6.2023
Question for written answer
E-001887/2023
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Antoni Comín i Oliveres (NI), Clara Ponsatí Obiols (NI), Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó (NI)
European imports of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) are expected to keep surging in 2023. In 2022, the EU imported 22 billion cubic metres of LNG from Russia, a 38 % increase compared to the previous year[1]. These imports account for USD 10 million of Russian daily revenue[2]. LNG-related profits are a key enabler of Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine[3].
As the biggest importer of Russian LNG, Spain is leading this trend, with Russian LNG accounting for 6.513 GWh, or 17.4 % of total imports in April 2023[4]. Spain has doubled, or even tripled its imports of Russian LNG in each of the last 12 months when compared to the previous year[5].
Commissioner Simson has urged Member States and all European companies to stop purchasing Russian LNG and to refrain from signing new importing contracts[6].
In light of the persistent increase in Russian LNG imports and its negative consequences for the EU common foreign and security policy goals:
- 1)Is the VP/HR planning to propose sanctions on Russian LNG imports to the Council?
- 2)If no sanctions on Russian LNG are going to be proposed, what other legal options is the VP/HR considering to prevent Member States from indirectly financing the war through Russian LNG imports?
Submitted:12.6.2023
- [1] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/lng-imports-test-eu-resolve-quit-russian-fossil-fuel-2023-04-12/#:~:text=EU%20analysis%20found%20Russian%20LNG,significant%20uptick%20since%20the%20war.
- [2] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/eus-lng-imports-from-russia-see-highest-levels-in-3-years/2839066.
- [3] https://energyandcleanair.org/financing-putins-war/.
- [4] https://www.enagas.es/es/gestion-tecnica-sistema/energy-data/publicaciones/boletin-estadistico-gas/.
- [5] https://www.offshore-technology.com/news/russian-lng-imports-to-eu-rise-in-2022/.
- [6] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eu-energy-chief-tells-companies-not-sign-new-russian-lng-deals-2023-03-09/.