The United States and the European Union have announced a major deal on liquified natural gas (LNG) aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on Russian energy. Under the agreement, the US will supply an additional 15 billion cubic metres of gas to the EU by the end of the year, representing around 10% of the gas currently imported from Russia.
The deal is part of a broader EU strategy to cut Russian gas use following the invasion of Ukraine. The eventual target is for the US and other international partners to provide 50 billion cubic metres of LNG annually to the EU, which currently receives 40% of its gas from Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that this volume would replace one-third of Russian gas imports.
US President Joe Biden, speaking in Brussels, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was using energy resources to coerce neighbours and fund his war machine. He acknowledged that eliminating Russian gas would have costs for Europe but argued that the long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.
The deal faces challenges including intense global competition for LNG supplies and questions over how quickly the US can increase exports. The EU plans to complement increased imports with renewable energy expansion and energy efficiency measures, aiming to save 170 billion cubic metres by 2030 through these means. The White House highlighted immediate steps such as using smart thermostats and heat pumps to reduce consumption.
