Members of European Parliament call on EU to reduce dependence on Russian gas
In a joint statement published on Tuesday, March 6, three Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed the opinion that recent actions by Gazprom should push the European Union (EU) to reduce dependence on gas and oil from Russia. Deutsche Welle has reported on this. These individuals are David McAllister, Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee; Dariusz Rosati, Co-Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee; and Michael Gahler, standing Rapporteur on Ukraine.
Gazprom's decision not to supply gas to Ukraine, as well as its intention to break contracts with Naftogaz, "is yet another proof of the instrumentalization of gas supplies as a political tool of pressure by the Russian Federation, which might also impact the EU's energy security," noted the three MPs, who represent the European People's Party faction.
They welcomed the European Commission's willingness to mediate in the gas dispute. At the same time, the politicians added that recent developments make it more important for the EU to strengthen its energy security by immediately reducing its dependence on oil and gas supplies from authoritarian regimes and stopping it altogether in the medium term.
To date, Russia remains the largest gas supplier in the EU; its import share is approximately 40%.
Gazprom has refused to supply Ukraine with the volume of gas mandated in an earlier decision by the Stockholm Arbitration Court. The company has also begun procedures to breaking contract with Naftogaz for the supply and transit of "blue fuel."