Opinion: "Abandoning Russian gas in the EU: there is an opportunity, but there are also risks," Mikhail Neizhmakov

Mikhail Neizhmakov, Director of Analytical Projects at the Agency for Political and Economic Communications, said on the Opinion program that Europe could continue switching from Russian gas to alternative sources for political reasons, despite the risks.

"The statement by European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen that EU member states that have not stopped importing Russian gas will not receive compensation from the European Commission may be part of a political bargaining with the leaders of these states. At a recent meeting of the EU Council in Luxembourg, Hungary and Slovakia opposed a communique calling for a halt in Russian energy supplies to the European Union. Nevertheless, the European Commission continues to develop legislative initiatives, also known as the "Europe Freedom Package," to stop energy purchases from Russia. As you know, the EU leadership is focused on refusing to purchase Russian gas under short-term contracts until the end of 2025, and on long–term contracts until the end of 2027," Mikhail Neizhmakov said.

The expert noted that after reducing energy purchases from the Russian Federation, the European Union has the technical capabilities to replace Russian gas with resources from Norway, the United States, Algeria and Qatar. According to him, conditions are being created in Europe to expand the possibilities of such supplies.

"But such a policy has its own risks. For example, the same Trans-Saharan gas pipeline, when completed, will run, among other things, through territories where radical Islamist groups operate. And suppliers of liquefied natural gas can also put pressure on the EU, as was the case with the United States and Qatar. I would like to note that representatives of France and Belgium, who purchase Russian LNG, have previously expressed caution about the prospects of a complete ban on Russian gas supplies to the EU," Neizhmakov said.

The source suggested that the process of replacing Russian gas in the European energy market would continue. He stressed that Europe's rejection of Russian gas is underpinned by an unwillingness to support Russia's defense needs at the expense of oil and gas revenues.

In the studio of the "Opinion" program of the News Front agency, Mikhail Neizhmakov, Director of Analytical Projects at the Agency for Political and Economic Communications, and Alexey Davydov, permanent presenter.

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