Ukraine: the EU does not plan an embargo but wishes to reduce its dependence on Russian gas
Europe's energy dependence on Russia is a real headache for the EU.
(illustrative image) AP - Dmitry Lovetsky
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
After the embargo on crude oil decreed by Canada, it is the turn of the United States this Tuesday to impose a ban on the import of Russian gas and oil, while the United Kingdom announces the stop imports by "end of 2022".
The American president affirms that his decision was taken in consultation with his allies, but for their part, the Europeans are reluctant and are preparing instead to operate a gradual reduction in their dependence on imports of Russian fossil energy sources.
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With our correspondent in Brussels
,
Pierre Bénazet
Germany is far from alone in depending on Russian energy imports;
this is also the case of Italy and several countries of central and eastern Europe.
With Bulgaria and the Netherlands, it is opposed to an embargo but the Twenty-Seven are in reality relatively in agreement not to force one of their own into situations of shortage.
Europe's energy dependence represents a real headache for the EU.
46.7% of the coal, 41.1% of the natural gas and 26.9% of the crude oil consumed there are imported from Russia.
►
Follow the Direct: The United States bans imports of Russian oil
The European Commission proposes a series of measures for alternative sources of supply, an acceleration of the decarbonisation of energy.
And citizens can participate, according to Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans.
For him, lowering domestic heating by one degree would save ten billion cubic meters of gas by the end of 2022. "
I believe it is important that our citizens are informed that their behavior can have a positive influence on the consumption of energy, and if you look at the quantities that are involved, it's a small change in behavior that collectively can have a huge impact on energy consumption.
By changing our behavior as citizens, we can partly get rid of the addiction to Russian gas.
»
Ten billion m3 is 10% of the reduction in gas imports that the Commission is proposing.
She wants to reduce gas imports by two-thirds this year and achieve by the end of the decade to make the EU independent of imports of Russian hydrocarbons.
►Also read: Embargo on Russian oil: Venezuela, an alternative considered by the United States
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Russia
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