DESPITE European Union (EU) sanctions and its criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the import of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by EU member states has surprisingly increased by 40%.
An analysis by Kpler has revealed that during the first seven months of 2023, EU countries purchased over half of the Russian LNG on the market, importing 22 million cubic meters – a significant jump from 15 million during the same period last year.
Spain and Belgium are leading this trend, ranking as the second and third biggest buyers of Russian LNG, just behind China.
This unexpected import surge contrasts with the EU’s efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy and its imposition of sanctions against Russia.
Despite sanctions and calls to halt Russian purchases, EU member states find it challenging to switch energy sources due to logistical and infrastructural complexities.
While some, like Germany, have tried to diversify energy supplies, to recall, since January of this year, Germany declared itself independent of Russian oil and is now sourcing gas from other countries, including the United States.
Despite its green climate agenda, Germany recently dismantled a large wind farm to expand a nearby open-pit lignite coal mine.
The dismantling is being done by German energy giant R.W.E., the region of North Rhine Westphalia, where one wind turbine has already been removed.
The energy giant is also planning to dismantle seven more turbines to excavate 15 million to 20 million tonnes of so-called brown coal.
