European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently proposed a solution to reduce the EU’s reliance on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by importing more from the United States. In a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, von der Leyen highlighted the potential benefits of shifting to American LNG, which she described as cheaper and capable of lowering energy prices in the EU.
While the US is currently the largest supplier of LNG to Europe, imports from Russia still hold a significant share. As tensions persist in Ukraine, EU officials are exploring ways to diminish Moscow’s influence in the region. Despite the ongoing conflict, Russian pipeline gas and LNG have not been directly affected by sanctions.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the discussion with Trump was preliminary and did not delve into specific details regarding LNG imports. However, the prospect of increasing US LNG shipments to Europe remains a viable option to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on Russian gas.
In 2024, western Europe has already surpassed its 2023 LNG imports from Russia. Although sanctions have impacted Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, shipments from the Yamal LNG plant continue unaffected. These shipments are mainly directed towards countries like France, Spain, and Belgium due to existing long-term supply contracts.
The proposal to replace Russian gas with US LNG presents an opportunity for the EU to strengthen its energy security and reduce geopolitical risks associated with dependency on a single supplier. By fostering closer energy ties with the United States, Europe can enhance its energy resilience and contribute to a more balanced and competitive gas market in the region.
