NEW YORK – “We expected Russia to use energy as a weapon, it is possible that it will hit other countries. In the last 24 hours we have been in contact with Poland and Bulgaria. We have been working for months to decrease Europe’s dependence and we will continue to do so”. It’s the reaction of the White House spokesperson, Jen Psaki, Putin’s latest blackmail, but Washington is not surprised: “These are the kind of steps we had foreseen.” Therefore, remedial initiatives are already underway: “We have been working for months with our partners to diversify natural gas sources and replace volumes from Russia. President Biden has set up a task force to supply liquid gas to Europe. , decrease its dependence, and ensure that Moscow cannot use energy as a coercive tool. Poland and Bulgaria have other resources and we are working with them. “
The US had already promised help to Europe during the March 25 meeting between Biden and von der Leyen, pledging to supply at least 15 billion cubic meters of their liquid gas by the end of the year, or about 10% of what the Old Continent imports from Russia. Psaki had also explained the initiatives in anticipation of a total blockade: “Our assistance includes asking some Asian countries that have an excess of supplies to send them to Europe. We have already done so and we continue to do so”.
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by our correspondent Paolo Mastrolilli
Yesterday the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Manlio Di Stefano he was in Washington, where he met the representatives of the LNG Allies, the “American gas industry confederation”. At the end of the interview he declared that “American companies said they could increase production by up to 15% more than the current one, by 2030. They clearly know that Italy has an important capacity in this area and therefore they are open to investments to increase it “. In essence, it would be American investments made in partnership with the Italians, in order to direct the increase in their production more towards our country.
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by Massimo Basile
Politically, the US reaction was negative, but the Kremlin’s actions did not surprise. The former commander of the armed forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, commented that “this is a new strategic mistake by Putin. It is true that it immediately creates problems for Europeans, but it will turn into a boomerang, pushing them to free themselves from addiction. energy from Russia faster “.
The situation is already becoming more complicated for the Kremlin, even before Brussels passes the sixth wave of sanctions. Moscow’s oil production has already dropped 17% over the past year. The Wall Street Journal then revealed that in recent weeks Rosneft has been trying to sell 38 million barrels, but has found no buyers. The measures are already having an effect, even before they are launched, as several companies and countries are keeping away from Moscow crude, fearing it will bring problems. If this trend were accentuated by the new sanctions, Putin could soon find himself without the money he needs to continue his aggression.