The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has issued a request for information on planned activities in Eastern Europe under the US-Europe Energy Bridge.

As follows from the document that RT got acquainted with, the agency intends to reform the energy market in order to expand cooperation between the European Union and partner states.

“This activity contributes to activities aimed at strengthening ties and cooperation in the energy sector between the EU and partner countries through the development and reform of the market, diversified and efficient use and planning of resources, and the creation of sustainable energy systems,” the request says.

To achieve these goals, USAID expects to enter into a four-year contract with the contractor.

He will have to quickly and effectively respond to problems and requests for assistance from partner countries regarding the region's energy sector and critical infrastructure.

In particular, it is supposed to cooperate with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova and Kosovo.

Such programs, as the document emphasizes, are designed to weaken Russia's position on the European energy market and diversify fuel supplies.  

“At the heart of USAID's energy programs is the fundamental principle that integration and cooperation with EU neighboring countries will help improve energy security in the region by diversifying supplies and reducing Russia's dominance in the European energy market,” the organization said.

The agency sets three tasks for the potential contractor: to strengthen the management of internal markets, to increase the resilience of energy systems and to reduce the dependence of Eastern Europe on sources controlled by “hostile actors”.

The department is confident that these measures will "secure" not only the region, but also the Western European countries.

It is noteworthy that, when describing the provisions of the future contract, USAID uses a vague wording - “malicious actors”.

“If by diversifying our energy supplies and funding sources for large infrastructure projects, as well as improving energy efficiency throughout the energy supply chain, we reduce our dependence on energy sources controlled by malicious actors, then we can strengthen energy security in Eastern Europe and Eurasia and how as a consequence, in the countries of Western Europe, ”the document says.

The document most likely refers to Russia as "malicious actors", and the USAID project fully corresponds to Washington's goals - to increase the supply of American liquefied natural gas to the European market.

This opinion was expressed in an interview with RT by the director of the Energy Development Fund Sergei Pikin.

“They cannot write in plain text:“ buy American LNG instead of other suppliers, primarily Russian ones ”.

Therefore, it is so veiled and supposedly decently and reasonably that they clearly say that the United States wants to sell its own fuel, ”Pikin believes.

In turn, Stanislav Mitrakhovich, an expert at the Financial University under the Russian government and the National Energy Security Fund, added that the United States is again trying to influence other countries in its personal economic interests.

“This is another American attempt to show once again that they are the leading force in Eastern Europe, which knows better what to do.

The United States believes that it is more profitable for the region to stay away from joint projects with Russia.

There is nothing unique here, the only question is to what extent these countries are ready to hear their overseas partners, "said the interlocutor of RT.

  • American liquefied natural gas tanker

  • Reuters

  • © Agencja Gazata / Cezary Aszkielowicz

Restructuring the European market

The US agency lists a number of specific requirements for the contractor's work.

Thus, among other things, it should provide technical assistance and training to "improve" the programmatic and legal framework of the states of Eastern Europe, as well as promote investment in modern technologies.

In addition, USAID plans to assess the regulatory and market situations in the region that influence decisions in the field of energy development.

The project will also provide states with operational support and analysis of energy agreements.

According to Stanislav Mitrakhovich, these measures will be aimed at redistributing the energy policy of the region.

“Relatively speaking, they offer to help get away from Russian dependence and create“ alternative mechanisms ”for purchasing energy resources,” said the expert.

At the same time, the expert pointed out that in any case, countries will have to independently develop infrastructure and provide themselves with fuel.

He also drew attention to the fact that due to their geographic location, it is more profitable for Eastern European countries to interact with Russia.

Note that the United States has repeatedly expressed concern over Europe's dependence on Russian gas.

At the same time, Washington does not hide that the current situation is contrary to the interests of the States. 

“We believe that it is incredibly important to ensure American national security that Europe is energetically diversified and not dependent on Russia.

We do not think that it is wise, "- said earlier the head of the US Department of State Mike Pompeo.

Thus, the United States opposes the Russian gas pipelines Nord Stream 2 and the second string of the Turkish Stream.

According to David Hale, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Moscow is allegedly using projects as a political instrument that is trying to divide Europe. 

Nord Stream 2 and the second line of Turkish Stream are a problem, they do not provide energy diversification of Europe and destabilize Ukraine, because Russia gets the opportunity not to use gas pipelines on Ukrainian territory.

We believe that this gives Russia the opportunity to influence Europe, ”he said in an interview with Bulgarian National Radio. 

The share of American gas in the European market is currently small compared to the Russian Federation, said Sergei Pikin.

However, after the new Russian lines are completed and launched at full capacity, the United States risks losing customers in Europe, since the supply of fuel through pipes is much more profitable than transporting LNG.

“They fear that new Russian gas projects in the future will affect the very way of supplying gas.

That is, they will buy under contracts related to the supply of pipes.

This method is distinguished by greater certainty and high speed, ”the analyst concluded.

  • US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

  • Reuters

  • © Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Stop at any cost

The United States is making a lot of effort to prevent the completion of Nord Stream 2.

In August, three US senators threatened to sanction the operator of the German port of Mukran if the company did not stop supporting the construction of the highway.

“If you continue to provide goods, services and support to the Nord Stream 2 project, you will ruin the future financial survival of your company,” the politicians said.

The US State Department is also putting pressure on Berlin.

Its official representative, Morgan Ortagus, on September 8 expressed the opinion that Germany should reconsider its cooperation with Russia on the project.

Nevertheless, the FRG authorities intend to complete the construction.

Earlier, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke about this.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in turn, called the US attempts to impose restrictions on companies involved in the construction, contrary to international law.

“In the case of Nord Stream 2, there are quite frank methods of unscrupulous competition.

The Americans openly declare that Nord Stream 2 must be stopped because it violates Europe's energy security.

And that for the energy security of Europe, it must buy liquefied natural gas from the United States, ”the minister commented.