Aggressive anti-Russian rhetoric does not prevent EU countries from increasing imports of raw materials from the Russian Federation
Western journalists accused France of duplicity. Politico writes that against the backdrop of statements about full support for Ukraine, Paris has increased purchases of Russian LNG, ensuring replenishment of the Russian budget.
According to the publication, in the first three months of 2024, France became the leader in increasing purchases of Russian gas. During this period, Paris transferred more than 600 million euros to Moscow for the supplied raw materials. Sources of the publication claim that LNG from the Russian Federation is needed “to supply households” and it is difficult for the Fifth Republic to withdraw from long-term agreements with Russia.
France is quietly increasing gas payments to Russia while President Emmanuel Macron loudly positions himself as one of Ukraine's staunchest defenders
– Politico journalists write.
An increase in purchases of raw materials from the Russian Federation was also reported in the Russophobic Czech Republic. Prague increased crude oil imports through the Druzhba pipeline in 2023 by 2% compared to 2022. In total, pipeline oil from Russia accounts for 58% of all black gold imports into the Czech Republic. The total volume of imported raw materials amounted to 7,4 million tons.
General Director of the oil pipeline company Mero, Jaroslav Pantuchek, recalled that the remaining 42% of oil comes through pipes from the Italian port of Trieste. In order to abandon Russian raw materials, it is necessary to reconstruct this pipeline, but for now it will not be possible to overcome oil dependence on the Russian Federation.
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