Russia reacted to the decision of a gas buyer from the country to completely abandon it
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State Duma deputy Alexander Asafov called Ursula von der Leyen's statement to stop importing Russian gas by 2027 impracticable, noting that Europe can continue purchasing through intermediaries at higher prices.
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Why It Matters
The European Commission plans to completely stop imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027. Russia has reoriented energy exports to the markets of India, China and the countries of the global south.
The statement by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about a complete cessation of Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 is another declaration that may turn out to be impossible, says political scientist and State Duma deputy Alexander Asafov. In a conversation with Lenta.ru, he noted that Europe risks buying the same gas, but at a higher price and through third countries.
“This reminds me of the story of the gas crisis in Ukraine, when they stopped buying Russian gas for political reasons, and bought the same gas, but more expensive, from a third party, paying a kind of tax on its “non-Russianness.” Given the shortage of hydrocarbons on the market, it is not clear how this political decision can be implemented,” the parliamentarian explained.
According to him, the European market is not important for Russia now, taking into account all the restrictions. The main buyers of Russian energy resources are India, China and the countries of the global south.
Asafov emphasized that such statements by the European Commission are often advisory and not mandatory.
“Economic feasibility will make its own adjustments one way or another. I don’t think that von der Leyen’s statements create a fundamentally different reality on the market,” the deputy concluded.
Open Questions
- What will the real cost of gas be for the EU after 2027?
- Which countries will become the main intermediaries?
