A general view of the liquefied natural gas plant operated by Sakhalin Energy at Prigorodnoye on the Pacific island of Sakhalin
Reuters: Russia close to using natural gas as weapon in Europe's gas crunch - Biden energy adviser
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's global energy security adviser said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is getting close to using natural gas as a political tool if Russia is holding back fuel exports to Europe as it suffers an energy crunch.
"I think we are getting close to that line if Russia indeed has the gas to supply and it chooses not to, and it will only do so if Europe accedes to other demands that are completely unrelated," Amos Hochstein, Biden's adviser, told reporters, when asked if Putin was using gas as a weapon.
Hochstein said gas prices in Europe have been driven higher not just by events in the region but also by a dry season in China that has reduced energy output from hydropower and increased global competition for natural gas.
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Update: US official: Russia should send more gas to Europe ‘quickly’ (AP)
WNU Editor: European government green energy policies coupled with market forces and weather is driving these shortages and high prices. But it is easier to blame Russia .... Speculation on European markets drives gas prices higher as the ‘Russia’s to blame’ game continues (RT).
