Despite the sanctions: The growth of Russian gas deliveries to the European Union

Deliveries of Russian gas to the countries of the European Union are increasing despite the sanctions imposed by the Russian Federation, writes the newspaper “Handelsblat”, referring to the data of the consulting company “ICIS”.

According to her information, the European Union imported about 30 percent more natural gas in May 2024 than in September 2022.

Compared to the period before the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the level of gas imports from Russia is still low.

If in May 2021 the EU imported about 15 billion cubic meters from there, then in May 2024 that figure amounted to only 4.8 billion cubic meters. The newspaper writes that compared to 3.7 billion in September 2022, this is still a significant and, above all, constant growth.

According to media reports, the first EU countries are already questioning projects through which Europe would really like to diversify its gas imports.

One of the several planned liquefied natural gas terminals in Greece, as the newspaper emphasizes, cannot be built at the moment. Now the country covers more than 60 percent of its gas consumption with supplies from Russia, according to “Handelsblat”.

According to the paper, the import of Russian gas into EU countries is of a political nature. However, doubts are now growing whether the EU’s plans will really succeed, the authors write.

Analysis of data from the Brussels research center “Bruegel” shows that gas from Russia reaches Europe via three main routes: by sea as liquid natural gas, via the “Turkey Stream” gas pipeline, and via the gas pipeline through Ukraine to Slovakia.

This spring, more Russian gas arrived in Europe via all three routes than in September 2022. Liquid natural gas is the most important factor in increasing imports from Russia, the paper concludes.