The United States could support Ukraine and US allies in Eastern Europe by supplying them with liquefied natural gas (LNG), US Rep Cory Gardner (R-Colo), said on 17 March.
Gardner introduced a bill last week that would grant immediate approval for export applications for LNG from the US. Federal law requires a review of public interest before approving LNG exports to countries without a US free-trade agreement.
Russia supplies about 30% of Europe’s gas requirements, half of which transit via Ukraine, a factor some believe has stifled European opposition to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Gardner said in a statement Russian influence in Eastern Europe could be contained through increased LNG exports from the US. “Taking action on exports would weaken [Russia's] grip by sending a clear signal to our allies that they no longer have to be at the mercy of Russian energy supplies,” he said.
Gardner reminded that US President Barack Obama said on 17 March that the US is going to stand firm in its unwavering support for Ukraine. “[Support for Ukraine] should include unlocking US natural gas supplies to help free Ukraine and other European nations from Russia’s influence,” Gardner said.
Obama issued sanctions on 17 March against several Russian government officials involved in an attempt to annex Crimea from Ukraine. But Republicans urged Obama to go further to punish Russia, saying LNGexport bill would loosen thenation’s grip on the region.
However, Andrew Walker, BG’s vice president of global LNG, said on 18 March that natural gas exports from the US are unlikely to help ease the tensions between Europe and Russia over Ukraine as the first such shipments are about two years away.
BG said that the US has vast supplies of cheap natural gas thanks to the fracking boom and could become one of the world’s top three exporters of LNG gas by 2025.