The question of abandoning Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been a topic of intense discussion at various political levels. However, it seems that the European Union is close to reaching a consensus on completely halting its imports, according to the President's Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladislav Vasyuk.
"Overall, this issue has been widely debated at different political levels. I believe the European Union is now nearing a consensus on a complete ban. This may be implemented either through a sanctions ban or as a separate decision regarding energy security, but I think ultimately the EU will resolve this matter," - he stated in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
The Commissioner reminded that in the 14th sanctions package, the EU had already considered the possibility of banning imports of Russian LNG, although it did not reach a corresponding decision. Instead, it imposed restrictions on its transshipment in European ports.
"Last year, EU countries indeed imported a record amount of liquefied natural gas, paying Russia over $7 billion for it. This does not make sense - having an embargo on oil transported by sea, voluntary refusals, or a ban on pipeline gas imports, while simultaneously increasing LNG purchases under these circumstances," Vasyuk noted.
According to him, other countries could serve as alternatives to Russia as LNG suppliers, particularly the United States.