Lithuania does not support the idea of Brussels to resume purchases of Russian gas. This was stated by the Minister of Energy of Lithuania Zhigimantas Vaicunas, commenting on materials in foreign media that the EU officials are considering the possibility of resuming the procurement of Russian gas as a possible factor in the termination of the conflict in Ukraine.
“The rejection of Russian gas and the reduction in gas consumption as a whole is the direction in which both the European Union and Lithuania are watching. At this stage, we should not talk about such scenarios,” the LRT quotes the minister.
“I think that Lithuania would surely react to such news and agreements very restrained,” the minister said.
At the same time, the head of the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy admitted that during subsequent negotiations “it is impossible to exclude any options.” “But the position of Lithuania is that we proved by our personal contribution, that we can be independent of Russian gas supplies, and we were the first in the European Union, who refused them, and we must continue to demonstrate this position. Moreover, we have There are alternatives in the field of energy, and they are becoming cheaper, ”said Vaicunas.
The Minister said that back in December, he raised the question of reducing the consumption of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in EU member states at a meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible for energy.
Vaichunas expressed the hope that the European Commission will present a plan to reduce the consumption of Russian LNG.
Financial Times previously reported that Brussels is considering the possibility of resuming the purchases of Russian gas. Supporters of such an idea argue that the re -opening of pipelines can help resolve the situation with Moscow and reduce energy costs, noted in the publication.