Joe Biden administration officials are negotiating with Qatar on possible gas supplies to Europe. This is due to potential shortages in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, sources told Bloomberg.
According to the agency, Mr. Biden intends to invite the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to the United States. The meeting could take place in January. Bloomberg’s interlocutors note that this is how Washington wants to dispel the fears of European allies about supplies in the winter in case of an escalation.
Europe receives more than 40% of its gas from Russia. Qatar is one of the world’s largest LNG producers. It sells about three-quarters of its gas to Asian countries. Europe accounts for 5% of deliveries.
Since last year, the American and European media have been reporting on Western intelligence information on Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has no plans to invade Ukraine. Moscow believes the US and Ukraine have spread misleading rumors to give Kiev a pretext for its own offensive. Against the backdrop of an exchange of accusations, Russia is negotiating with the United States and NATO on security guarantees.
About the negotiations – in the material “Kommersant” “Do the Russian canoes want.”