ADVERTISINGUrsula von der Leyen He has ruled out, without ambigu war in Ukrainewarning that doing so would represent a “error of historical dimensions” for Europe.
“To be clear: the era of Russian fossil fuels In Europe it is coming to an end, “said the president of the European commission on Wednesday morning when he addresses legislators in Strasbourg.
Its negative categorical occurs in the midst of the pressure of Donald Trump To achieve an agreement of Paz between Russia and Ukrainean effort that has seen the White House embrace many of the Kremlin discussion points, including its claims about Crimea and the occupied territories.
Trump’s diplomacy has fueled the speculation that Russian energy It could be part of a future agreement, given the fundamental role played by fossil fuel exports in the budget of Moscow and the desire to vladimir putin of reactivate your precarious economy.
The EU He was the biggest client of Russiahasta 2022
For decades, The EU was Russia’s biggestbut the multimillionaire commercial relationship collapsed in early 2022, after Putin launched the large -scale invasion. Since then, the block has adopted unprecedented measures to reduce fuel import Russian fossils, including radical prohibitions of coal and oil transported by sea.
Now that US authorities publicly offer the possibility of Relieve sanctions as an incentive for the Russian President to accept A HIGH DASTE FIREsomething that has so far rejected, the restrictions imposed by the EU are about to be subject to scrutiny.
According to Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, SERGUÉI LAVROVthe current approach between Washington and Moscow He has played the future of the Nord Stream pipelines, which connect Russia and Germany and are currently closed.
Von der Leyen: “Russia is not a reliable supplier”
“It will probably be interesting for Americans to use their influence on Europe and force it not to reject Russian gas,” Lavrov declared at the end of March. But this Wednesday, von der Leyen has firmly traced a red line.
“Some continue to say that we should reopen the Russian gas and oil tap. This would be An error of historical dimensions. And we will never allow it. Russia has demonstrated, again and again, that It is not a reliable supplier. Putin has already cut gas flows to Europe in 2006, 2009, 2014, 2021 and throughout the war. How many times will they have to learn the lesson? “He continued.
The EU spent 23,000 million euros in Russian energy in 2024
Despite the collective commitment, some Russian fuels They are still making its way In the economy of the block. Last year, the 27 Member States spent 23,000 million euros in Russian energy, exceeding the amount of military aid provided to Ukraine.
The flows of LICUADO NATURAL GAS (LNG) They have become a source of friction, since they have not only continued without obstacles, but they have moved to even greater volumes.
According to the Clean Energy and Air Research Center (CREA), the community imports of Russian LNG In 2024 they increased 9% Regarding the previous year. Almost 90% of these purchases arrived in France (7.7 BCM), Spain (5.7 BCM) and Belgium (5.1 BCM).
“Russia depends on the EU market For its gas exports, since it provides 52% of its GNL export income, “he said in an April report.
UNa ambitious roadmap
In order to fill the existing lagoons, the commission has presented An ambitious roadmap To eliminate all Russian energy purchases, including LNG, oil by gas pipeline and nuclear materials, no later than 2027.
The new plan foresees a ban on Russian gas imports that EU companies will use to invoke force majeure and break long -term contracts With suppliers. These contracts are governed by conditions of ‘Take-Or-Pay’ that entail strong penalties In case of non -compliance.
ADVERTISINGUnlike sanctionswhich require unanimity and are vulnerable to national vetoes, Russian gas prohibitions They will be based on energy and commercial policy, where only a qualified majority are needed. Hungary and Slovakiatwo countries without coastline that continue to depend on Moscow, have already criticized the road map, stating that it would endanger the competitiveness of the EU.
Something indispensable to guarantee a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine
In his speech before the European Parliament, an institution that has long claimed the Total withdrawal of Russian fuelsvon der Leyen clung to its strategy, describing it as an indispensable element to guarantee a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine.
“We must do everything possible to reinforce Ukraine’s hand. Because we have all seen how Russia negotiates. Bombardean. They intimidate. They bury promises under the rubble“He said.
“Putin wants force Ukraine to accept the unacceptable. So the task we face is to help Ukraine stay strong, challenge Putin’s intimidation and start peace conversations based on their own conditions. “
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