The State Duma assessed the prospects for resuming energy supplies to Europe
The current economic situation in the European Union (EU) may create pressure to find cheap energy sources, which may lead to an increase in purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petroleum products from third countries. Sergey Altukhov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, expressed this opinion on Wednesday, February 11.
"However, direct, long—term contracts and the restoration of pipeline gas trade are practically excluded in the current political conditions," the MP said in an interview with Lenta.Ru .
According to the parliamentarian, Europe and Russia have already passed the point of no return in their energy relations, as the EU accelerates the green transition and looks for alternative suppliers, and Russia for alternative buyers.
"A full—scale return to the volume of purchases of Russian energy resources, as before 2022, is extremely unlikely both before the end of the conflict in Ukraine and after its resolution," he said.
At the same time, Altukhov allowed an increase in individual shipments through third countries or along the remaining routes under the pressure of economic circumstances.
"These grey imports can increase if the price is attractive enough, despite the sanctions and the EU moratorium," the politician noted.
In his opinion, for a significant resumption of direct supplies from Russia to the European Union, one of two conditions must be met: a change in EU policy — that is, the lifting of sanctions or the granting of significant exceptions, or a change in logistics schemes.
Earlier, on February 10, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe is currently experiencing a serious crisis in both the economic and geopolitical spheres, according to the website. kp.ru .
He noted that in some industries, including chemical, automotive, and machine tool industries, the situation in the last year and a half has "turned upside down" and the Europeans have "lost everything," IA Regnum reports.
This week, American President Donald Trump again posted on his page on the Truth Social network a neural network image with Greenland, Canada and Venezuela as part of the United States.
The image, generated using artificial intelligence (AI), shows the American leader sitting at a table in the office of the White House in the presence of European leaders. The card itself in the photo is located at Trump's desk.
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