Europe can survive this winter regardless of Russian power big Gazprom “intentionally” lowering fuel provides, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen stated Saturday.
“Even in case of full disruption of fuel provide from Russia, we’re on the secure aspect for this winter,” von der Leyen advised the Munich Safety Convention, noting that Brussels has already diversified its fuel suppliers to be prepared in case Gazprom turns off its faucets.
“In the intervening time we might be capable of change the Russian fuel with LNG [liquefied natural gas] deliveries that we get from our pals all around the world,” she added.
Vitality provide is rising as a key facet in ongoing tensions between Western international locations and Russia as a number of main EU international locations, resembling Germany and Italy, closely rely upon Russian fuel.
“A powerful European Union can’t be so reliant on an power provider that threatens to begin a battle on our continent. Gazprom, a Russian state-owned firm, is intentionally attempting to retailer and ship as little as attainable,” she stated.
The Fee president insisted that Europe is ready to face a attainable minimize of Russian fuel due to the assistance of different suppliers, together with the U.S., and that European power infrastructure might even be used to provide fuel to Ukraine, if wanted.
Von der Leyen additionally warned that Europe ought to speed up its transition to sustainable power sources, additionally as a solution to be impartial from Russian fuel.
“We should diversify each our suppliers and our power sources,” she stated, noting that “we’re doubling down on renewables” and that “this can enhance Europe’s strategic independence for power.”