European Union countries imported 14 percent more liquefied natural gas from Russia in June than a year earlier, according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air analyzed by Die Welt. Kremlin daily revenues from these gas sales grew to 60 million euros.
The rise in shipments conflicts with EU goals to completely stop buying Russian liquefied natural gas starting in 2027. France imported the largest volume of Russian liquefied gas among EU members, with the port of Montoir in Brittany taking in four times more gas in June than in May.
Global Market Pressures
Global gas markets tightened recently as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply because of the crisis involving Iran. The disruption effectively sidelined Qatar, one of the top gas exporters in the world.
Russian natural gas made up 13.4 percent of total EU gas imports during the second quarter. When Russia invaded Ukraine, it was Europe's primary supplier, accounting for nearly 50 percent of imports.
The EU has since shifted its supply sources, significantly expanding imports of American liquefied gas and increasing shipments from Norway. Norway and the United States now supply about 60 percent of European gas imports, followed by Algeria and Russia with similar shares.
Oil Exports and Refinery Strikes
UNIAN reported last month that European buyers imported record amounts of liquefied gas from a top Russian facility in the first half of the year, acquiring nearly the entire output of the Siberian plant.
Russian crude oil exports also reached their highest point of the year in June. Moscow increased crude exports abroad because Ukrainian strikes damaged Russian oil refineries, leaving the country unable to process the crude domestically.
