The European Union may carry out emergency centralized purchases of gas from Russia, reports The Telegraph, citing sources in the EU.
“The joint purchase of gas will be similar to the block’s strategy for joint purchases of vaccines against coronavirus,” the newspaper writes, while noting that such an opportunity is one of the considered in the EU.
As part of the procurement of drugs against Covid-19, the European Commission negotiated as a representative of all countries of the union, which was believed to have led to a lower price for drugs.
Earlier, the head of European diplomacy, Joseph Borrell, in an interview with the El Pais newspaper, said that the EU countries need Russian gas, and, possibly, they will need more gas than specified in the contracts.
Gas and coal prices in Europe went down after the records set on October 6, when these energy resources were traded at the level of $ 1970 per 1000 cubic meters. m and $ 280 per 1 ton, respectively. November gas futures at the most liquid hub TTF in the Netherlands during the day on Thursday, October 7, fell to $ 975 per 1,000 cubic meters. m against $ 1250 for the opening of trading, according to the data of the ICE exchange.
Earlier, the Financial Times newspaper linked the decline in gas prices in Europe with the statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who on October 6 promised to help the EU cope with the energy crisis by increasing gas supplies if possible. During a meeting on energy issues, the Russian leader supported the idea of increasing gas supply on the market amid rising gas prices in Europe. However, according to him, this should be done not through the EU spot market, but through the St. Petersburg Stock Exchange. “Let’s do it, discuss it. If this will bring down the rush demand, then you can do it. Only not to the detriment of yourself, of course, ”the president said.
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