Media learned of pressure on EU over gas reserves cuts

The pressure on the European Union (EU) in 2025 will increase due to the reduction of gas reserves in storage facilities. This was reported by Bloomberg on February 11.

"The pressure may increase in 2025. Unfavorable weather conditions have caused Europe to use up its gas reserves faster in winter, and seasonal price fluctuations have changed, making it unprofitable to replenish reserves in summer," the material said.

The EU has introduced reporting of gas reserves for countries from 2022. Bloomberg reported that some countries failed to show the required level in February 2025. It was specified that the bloc has not yet taken measures against these countries, although they are implied by EU legislation.

"Gas in storage covers about 30% of the EU's daily winter needs. This share can exceed 50% on the coldest days, especially if wind speeds are low and electricity generation from renewable sources drops sharply," the material said.

The agency writes that if US President Donald Trump "succeeds in brokering a peace agreement" between Russia and Ukraine, there is a possibility that the transit agreement between the two countries could be renewed. It is noted that the EU does not want to return to the same level of dependence on Russian gas.

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"Gazprom" on January 1, 2025 announced the suspension of Russian gas supplies to the EU through Ukraine. On February 10, exchange prices for gas in Europe exceeded $620 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first time since February 8, 2023.

On January 29, Belgian Energy Minister Tinne van der Straten announced that the country's authorities plan to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia even after the sanctions prohibiting this come into force at the end of March. She pointed out that gas imports from Russia would not disappear, but would be redirected to different destinations and facilities.

On January 27, Bloomberg reported that the European Commission (EC) is likely to postpone by a certain margin a month later the official publication of the roadmap, which will outline a plan for EU countries with specific measures they need to take to completely abandon fuel imports from Russia, including LNG. It was noted that instead of the end of February, as planned, the EC may present its plan on March 26.