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Europe’s Record LNG Imports from Russia: Implications for Climate and Ukraine Support

Europe imported a record amount of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia in 2024, despite the EU’s efforts to reduce funding for fossil fuels that support Russia’s military actions. According to analysts from Rystad Energy, European ports received 17,8 million tonnes of Russian LNG, an increase of over 2 million tonnes from the previous year. Jan-Eric Fähnrich, a gas analyst at Rystad, noted that LNG flows are at record levels.

While Europe has significantly reduced its imports of piped Russian gas since the onset of the Ukraine war, it has increasingly turned to LNG from various countries, including Russia. In 2024, Europe imported 49,5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas through pipelines and an additional 24,2 billion cubic meters in LNG form. Some of this LNG may have been resold to other nations.

Graph - LNG import
Imports of Russian liquefied natural gas to Europe
Source: Rystad Energy

These figures were released shortly after Ukraine halted the flow of Russian gas through its pipelines, ending a long-standing energy route. Campaigners argue that the EU’s continued purchases of Russian fuels undermine its support for Ukraine and its climate goals, as burning these fuels contributes to global warming. Although the EU has reduced energy demand and relaxed regulations to promote renewable energy, scientists believe it is not transitioning quickly enough to prevent significant global temperature increases.

Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) indicated that EU imports of Russian LNG amounted to €7,32 billion in 2024, with a 14 % year-on-year increase in volume. Vaibhav Raghunandan, a Russia analyst at Crea, explained that the rise in imports is largely due to Russian LNG being offered at lower prices compared to other suppliers, with no sanctions currently imposed on the commodity.

The EU aims to stop importing Russian fossil fuels by 2027 but has hesitated to ban gas as it has done with coal and oil. In June, EU member states agreed to prohibit the transshipment of Russian LNG to non-EU countries starting in March 2025. The recent increase in Russian LNG imports may be a result of companies trying to ship as much as possible before sanctions take effect.

Ukrainian activists argue that the sanctions are being weakened by loopholes that allow Russia to continue funding its military through fossil fuel revenues. Svitlana Romanko, founder of the Ukrainian climate campaign group Razom We Stand, emphasized the need for the EU to close these loopholes and implement a full ban on Russian LNG imports. She also called for action against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers and the refining loophole that permits imports of products made from Russian crude oil.

A recent report suggested that tighter sanctions could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Russia’s oil and gas sector by 25 % by 2030, and replacing fossil fuels with renewables could lead to a reduction of 300 million tonnes of emissions annually. Romanko concluded by stating that the EU faces a choice: to continue financing war and pollution or to commit to a clean and secure energy future.

Январь, 11, 2025 127 0
Author
Author photo - Olga Nesvetailova
Freelancer
A creative freelancer with the ability to study source literature and create relevant material. The sea has always attracted me with its unbridledness, mystery, and a love of creativity helped me express my most interesting thoughts and reflections on paper, therefore, now I am doubly interested in studying the world of shipbuilding and writing useful materials for sailors.
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