Lithuania is no longer import gas from Russia, becoming the first European country to be fully independent of Russian gas. The other Baltic States are also temporarily stopping their flow in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Instead, Lithuania now depends on liquefied natural gas from their “Independence” terminal & gas brought in by tankers via the Klaipéda LNG terminal. After three large shipments that arrived last month, Lithuania’s total energy needs are satisfied for the coming period.
In case more gas is needed, it can be supplied via a pipeline to neighbouring Latvia, and Lithuania’s connection with Poland, of which the construction had been accelerated because of the Russian aggression, will be ready as of 1 May.
On Saturday, not a single drop of gas entered Lithuania via the Russian pipeline via Belarus, the country’s Prime Minister tweeted, and the energy ministry said it would remain that way.
“From now & so on, Lithuania won’t be consuming a cubic cm of toxic Russian gas. LT is the first EU country to refuse Russian gas import,” says Ingrida Simonyte.
The Baltic states, former USSR countries, are at the forefront of the EU in securing the bloc’s independence on Russian oil and gas, even more so since the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Lithuania no longer needs to worry about Russia’s requirement to pay for oil and gas in rubles and urges the rest of the EU to do the same. The Baltic nation wanted to do set an example to other European nations and prove that it was possible.
Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda said, “Years ago, my country made decisions that today allow us to cut energy ties with the aggressor without pain. If we can do it, the rest of Europe can do it too!”