Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys says it would be a historic mistake for European Union (EU) officials to consider resuming the purchase of Russian gas as a possible factor in ending the war in Ukraine.

„Dependence on it has allowed the Kremlin to finance wars, blackmail nations and undermine European security. Even contemplating a return to Russian gas imports would be a historic mistake," the minister wrote on the social networking site „X“ on Saturday.

„Russia must be defeated, not rewarded with new revenue streams“, – he added.

K. According to Budrys, „Europe has learnt the hard way that Russian gas is more than a convenience, it is – a geopolitical weapon“. Therefore, he said, countries must continue to stay on the right track.

„Europe needs to stay the course: deny Russian gas, tighten sanctions on Russia's energy sector, support Ukraine and invest in long-term energy security“, – said Budrys.

ELTA recalls that the possibility of resumption of Russian gas supplies being considered in Brussels was reported this week by the influential „Financial Times“. The main motive, the publication said, is lower gas prices in Europe.

On Friday, Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas said that Lithuania is not inclined to support such considerations. As Ž. Vaičiūnas said that Lithuania, having become the first EU country to refuse Russian gas imports after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, would continue to demonstrate this position. Vilnius will encourage its partners to prioritise alternatives to other, increasingly financially viable renewable energy sources, he said.

According to the European Commission (EC), in the first half of 2024, Russian gas accounted for 18% of total gas imports to the EU. This is equivalent to 25.4 billion cubic metres. In the first half of 2023, imports from Russia accounted for 14% of the total of 21.2 billion cubic metres.

Russia has overtaken the US to once again become the EU's second-largest gas supplier after Norway, with Slovakia, Hungary and Austria being the largest suppliers.