Japan has initiated liquefied natural gas supplies to the European Union and the United States. In view of the tense relationship with Russia, the West wants to reduce its dependence on Moscow in terms of energy policy. Both the EU and the US have asked Japan for the supplies, according to Trade Minister Koichi Hagiuda.
Ships are scheduled to arrive in Europe in March
"Japan has enough liquefied gas to meet domestic needs. But it's not huge. As the world situation develops, for example through Ukraine, Japan needs to join forces with the G7 countries, especially those who have the same values as Japan," Hagiuda said.
According to the Japanese trade minister, gas supplies are due to arrive in Europe by sea in March.
Borrell: "The energy supply is a key component of this crisis"
Around 40 percent of the natural gas burned in countries of the European Union comes from Russia. And almost a third of the oil used in the EU is also supplied by Russia – a big trump card for Moscow, agrees Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief:
"Energy is a key component of this crisis because Russia has no hesitation in using the large amounts of energy it supplies to Europe as leverage for geopolitical purposes," Borrell said.
US President Joe Biden had announced that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which runs through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, would come to an end if Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine.
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