The move to become fully independent from Russian gas was made in response to Russia’s energy blackmailing Europe and the military conflict in Ukraine.
Lithuania’s Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys said:
- We are the 1st EU country among Gazprom’s supply countries to gain independence from Russian gas supplies and this is the result of a multi-year coherent energy policy and timely infrastructure decisions
The alternative to Russian gas is importing gas from multiple countries through Klaipėda’s LNG terminal, symbolically called «Independence».
The terminal was established a decade ago.
President Gitanas Nausėda tweeted:
- Years ago my country made decisions that today allow us with no pain to break energy ties with the aggressor
- If we can do it, the rest of Europe can do it too!
Additional gas can also be delivered to Lithuania via the gas link with Latvia and from 1 May – through the gas link with Poland.
Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas tweeted:
- In 2015, Lithuania received 100% of its natural gas from Russia
- In 2020 more than 60% was still received from Russian energy producers