Australia offered to supply natural gas to Europe if Russia decides to cut off supply due to the crisis in Ukraine

The Government of Australia expressed this Thursday that it is willing to supply natural gas to its European “allies” at “affordable” prices, in the event that Russia decides to cut off the supply of this energy resource to European countries as a result of the crisis in Ukraine.

“We have gas and this puts us in a position of strength to support our customers and allies,” Australian Energy Minister Angus Taylor said at a press conference, given the possibility that his country, one of the largest producers of liquefied natural gas in the world, sell this hydrocarbon to Europe.

For his part, the head of Resources, Keith Pitt, who appeared alongside Taylor, clarified that although Europe has not made “a formal request” for gas supply, the Australian Government is willing to sell it at “sensible and affordable” prices. ”.

Pitt also noted that “destabilization” can have a significant impact on the price of fuel and that it is already beginning to be felt in the oceanic nation, where the cost of this resource already indicates an increase.

Australian Energy Minister Angus Taylor. EFE/EPA/LUKAS CAR

Australia’s offer comes after the United States this week began talks with its European allies to “identify” alternatives to Russian gas in other parts of the world, such as North Africa or the Middle East.

Tension in Europe has risen in recent weeks in the face of a possible Russian invasion or incursion into Ukraine, after Moscow mobilized some 100,000 soldiers on the Ukrainian border, where its gas pipelines pass, supplying gas to members of the bloc. the twenty-seven.

41% of the natural gas consumed in the European Union (EU) comes from Russia, a country that is also its main supplier of crude oil and fossil fuels, according to data from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat).