The EU wants to postpone the decision on abandoning Russian gas
Category
Economics
Publication date

The EU wants to postpone the decision on abandoning Russian gas

Gas storage facilities
Source:  Bloomberg

The European Commission is likely to postpone the planned publication of a roadmap for the final abandonment of energy resources from Russia.

Points of attention

  • European Commission considers postponing the planned publication of a roadmap for abandoning Russian gas by a month in efforts to discuss further 'delicate planning'.
  • The EU aims to be free from Russian supplies by 2027 as part of measures to stop funding President Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
  • EU countries depend on Russian liquefied gas, with a group of 10 countries advocating for stricter measures, but facing challenges in ensuring unanimity among all 27 bloc members.
  • The commission is negotiating with Ukraine on gas transit, with Hungary seeking to restore gas supplies via Ukraine to ensure energy security amid concerns about the impact of sanctions on its economy.
  • Efforts to abandon Russian energy resources are crucial in reshaping Europe's energy landscape and reducing dependency on Russia while addressing geopolitical challenges.

What is known about the possible postponement of the EU decision to abandon Russian gas?

As the publication's journalists note, the European Commission may present the plan on March 26. This is a month later than planned.

It is emphasized that this decision was made due to the need to discuss further “delicate planning”.

The roadmap is expected to outline the steps needed for European Union member states to completely abandon Russian fuel, part of efforts to stop funding President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the publication emphasizes.

The authors of the material remind that EU countries still remain dependent on supplies of liquefied gas from Russia.

EU postpones announcement of plan to permanently abandon Russian energy resources
Gas tanker

In particular, in 2024, the EU imported record volumes of supercooled fuel from the Russian Federation, with France, Spain, and Belgium being the largest importers.

A group of 10 EU countries has pushed for tougher measures against Russia by imposing restrictions on natural gas and liquefied natural gas, but those efforts are hampered by the need to ensure unanimity among all 27 members of the bloc. The commission has set a non-binding goal of being free of Russian supplies by 2027, the report said.

What is known about the EU's negotiations with Ukraine on gas transit?

The European Commission intends to continue negotiations with Ukraine on the transit of Russian gas at the request of Hungary and Slovakia.

The corresponding statement was made on the morning of January 27, on the eve of a meeting of the heads of foreign ministries of European countries regarding the extension of sanctions against Russia.

Hungary is seeking a postponement of the decision on the extension of sanctions, which must be made no later than January 31.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said last week that sanctions were harming Hungary's economy and that gas supplies via Ukraine should be restored to ensure the bloc's energy security.

Category
Politics
Publication date

She opposed aid to Ukraine. Hubbard confirmed as US Director of National Intelligence

Gabbard
Source:  CNN

The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence on February 12. Gabbard's nomination was approved by a vote of 52 to 48, with one Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, joining Democrats in opposing her.

Points of attention

  • Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed as the US Director of National Intelligence despite facing opposition due to her controversial statements, pro-Russian views, and criticism of US policies.
  • Gabbard's nomination approval by the US Senate highlights the divide among lawmakers, with one Republican and Democrats expressing concerns about her position.
  • As the Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard will oversee significant intelligence services with a substantial budget and serve as the top intelligence advisor to the US President.

Scandalous Gabbard confirmed as US Director of National Intelligence

Before the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, asked his Republican colleagues to reconsider the decision to confirm Gabbard for the position.

I ask my colleagues — I know this is the last minute — to think twice, to vote "no", as we all will, because this is a terrible nomination that will jeopardize our national security and our intelligence operations across the country and around the world.

Chuck Schumer

Chuck Schumer

US Senator

Earlier in the hearing, Gabbard was forced to answer questions from senators regarding her previous controversial statements.

She had to explain her position most of all regarding Edward Snowden, the whistleblower of the US National Security Agency, who published data on the PRISM spy program. Previously, Hubbard advocated for Snowden's pardon, but changed her mind during the hearings.

Some Republicans who had expressed concerns about Gabbard's candidacy later supported her candidacy.

Gabbard is also infamous for meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, criticizing the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, and calling US policy towards Ukraine "a second Afghanistan."

At the hearing, she said that she is not a "puppet of Putin" or Assad and remains loyal to the United States.

As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard will oversee 18 intelligence agencies with a budget of about $100 billion and serve as Trump's top intelligence advisor.

Tulsi Gabbard has been a pro-Russian since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As early as February 2022, she stated that “this war and suffering could have been easily avoided if the Biden/NATO administration had simply recognized Russia’s legitimate concerns about Ukraine joining NATO.” Gabbard has opposed U.S. funding for Ukraine.

In July 2022, Tulsi Gabbard was included by Ukraine on a list of American politicians, academics, and activists who "promote Russian propaganda."

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