Lithuania Halts Imports of Russian Natural Gas

First EU Member State to Halt Russian Natural Gas Imports
Lithuania, Importing $3.3 Billion Annually, Diversifies Supply Sources

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] Lithuania has stopped importing natural gas from Russia. Lithuania is the first country to officially cease imports of Russian natural gas. Lithuania is a country facing economic retaliation from China after officially recognizing the Taiwan Representative Office.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 2nd (local time), according to German DPA news agency and others, Dainius Kreivys, Lithuania's Minister of Energy, announced that since the beginning of this month, the country has been operating its gas network without importing Russian natural gas.

DPA confirmed this fact through data from Lithuania's gas network operator.

Minister Kreivys stated in a press release, "We are the first European Union (EU) country to become independent from Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom for natural gas supply," adding, "This was made possible thanks to consistent energy policies over many years and timely infrastructure development."

Following this import suspension, Lithuania plans to meet domestic gas demand through liquefied natural gas (LNG) arriving at the terminal in the port city of Klaip?da.

Previously, Lithuania started operating the terminal in early 2015 to reduce dependence on Russian gas imports, and plans to import large volumes of LNG three times a month going forward.

Lithuania annually imported approximately $3.3 billion (about 4 trillion KRW) worth of oil, gas, and electricity from Russia.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Lithuania's parliament urged the government to stop importing and consuming Russian energy as soon as possible.