Moscow warns EU that eliminating Russian energy is ‘suicide’
Russia’s special envoy to the EU, Chizhov, warned that the bloc’s decision to phase out Russian energy would be suicidal.
“I think the decision to get rid of Russian energy would, to some extent, be suicide for the European Union (EU) countries at this point. While for politicians, it is political suicide”, special envoy Russia at the EU Vladimir Chizhov said on March 29.
Envoy Chizhov also mentioned President Vladimir Putin’s previous decision to require “unfriendly” countries to buy Russian gas in rubles.
“The president’s announcement of a new payment method for gas supplies surprised them and confused politicians and energy companies. They are now talking about finding the ruble in the country. where?”, Mr. Chizhov said, adding that the new payment mechanism will be clarified in the coming days.
Russian envoy to the EU Vladimir Chizhov attends a meeting in Saint Petersburg in June 2021. Photo: Reuters.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 28 that Russia is working on the issue of paying for its gas in rubles, if Europe refuses this method, Moscow will not trade.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, the President’s representative G7 this year, earlier claimed the group was refusing to pay for gas in rubles, arguing that Russia’s actions were “unilateral and in clear violation of existing agreements”. He urged energy companies not to comply with President Putin’s request.
The Russian government, the Central Bank of Russia and the energy group Gazprom are expected to present to Putin a system to allow gas payments in rubles on March 31.
Russia is supplying 40% of Europe’s gas needs, of which Germany, Italy and many Central European countries depend heavily on this supply. About 25% of the oil supply to Europe also comes from Russia.
The European Commission on March 28 confirmed that the EU aims to be completely independent of energy imports from Russia by 2027.
EU and US on March 25 signed agree supply more gas from Washington to Europe. The US said it will work with international partners, trying to secure at least 15 billion cubic meters of liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) for the EU market by 2022 and continue to increase in the future.
Pipelines that deliver Russian gas to Europe. REMOVEClick on the photo for full view.
Ngoc Anh (According to TASS)
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