Spain was the second largest buyer of Russian LNG, with 18%, behind only China, with 20%.
MADRID, 30 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -
The European Union's purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia have increased by more than 40% between January and July compared to the same period in 2021, before the invasion of Ukraine, according to a report by the non-governmental organization Global. Witness, with data from Kpler.
EU countries are estimated to have spent almost €5.3bn buying more than half of all LNG from Russia during the first seven months of 2023, with Spain and Belgium being the second and third largest buyers globally, only for behind Chinese.
During the first seven months of 2023, Spain took 18% of total Russian sales, while Belgium took 17%. On its side, China bought 20%. During the same period in 2021, Spain ranked fifth and Belgium seventh.
Between January and July 2023, EU countries bought 22 million cubic meters of LNG, compared to 15 million cubic meters during the same period in 2021, an increase of 40%, which is a much higher increase. pronounced than the world average increase in imports of Russian LNG, which amounts to 6%.
"EU countries now buy most of Russia's supply, propping up one of the Kremlin's most important sources of income," says the NGO, which estimates that, between January and July, the EU bought 52% of the exports from Russia, up from 49% in 2022 and 39% in 2021.
Using Russian LNG prices estimated by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air based on spot and monthly trade values, Global Witness projects that EU purchases in 2023 will be worth €5.29 billion.
"Buying Russian gas has the same impact as buying Russian oil. Both finance the war in Ukraine and every euro means more bloodshed. As European countries condemn the war, they are putting money in Putin's pockets. These countries should align their actions with his words banning the Russian LNG trade that is fueling both the war and the climate crisis," says Jonathan Noronha-Gant, senior fossil fuels activist at Global Witness.
