Ukrainian crisis: Europe could get supplies from Qatar, one of the world’s main gas producers
The fate of Ukraine was at the heart of a meeting in Paris, Wednesday January 26, with representatives from France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. The Europeans are trying to avoid a war and to get angry with their Russian neighbours, their main gas supplier.
Today, it is the main supplier to Europeans. And thanks to gas, Russia earns tens of billions of euros every year. Stopping imports could deprive Moscow of this financial windfall. The Eastern countries remain very dependent, cutting the floodgates would not be without consequence.
Where to find gas outside of Russia? Europe is already getting supplies from Norway and Algeria, but capacities remain limited. It could therefore turn to Qatar, one of the main gas producers in the world. And the United States could play matchmaker. A meeting between Joe Biden and the Emir of Qatar is planned Monday January 31. But between the Middle East and Europe, it would be necessary above all to import liquefied natural gas. However, the experts remain divided, favoring diplomacy before making such decisions.
