French imports of Russian LNG surge, but Ukraine supporters seek a stop
Shipments of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) to France more than doubled the first half of this year, fresh analyses of trade data shows. It comes as Europe seeks to pull back from energy purchases that help finance the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.
Europe has restricted oil imports from Russia, but natural gas is still allowed. And while companies in France are importing the most, one analysis found that EU countries overall imported 7 percent more Russian LNG in the first half of this year compared to the same period a year ago.
The natural gas is chilled and liquified for easier ocean transport.
Oleh Savytskyi, a founder of nonprofit Razom We Stand, which campaigns for tougher sanctions on Russian fossil fuels, said the EU’s goal of phasing out all Russian fossil fuels by 2027 was “appallingly off track.”
He said countries buying Russian LNG are sabotaging the continent’s energy transition and contributing billions to Russia’s war effort.
European governments have said banning Russian gas imports entirely would send energy and heating bills skyrocketing and industrial users of gas would suffer, too.
The analysis first came from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a US nonprofit with a goal of speeding the world’s transition to more sustainable energy.
IEEFA examined data from Kpler, a shipping tracker, and ICIS, a commodity data provider, both of which also provided their own analysis.
Imports doubled
The next biggest importers, Spain and Belgium, saw a 1 percent rise and a 16 percent decline respectively, IEEFA said.
Read more on RFI English
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