Ukraine war drives US, EU deal to undercut Russian energy

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

BRUSSELS (AP) — With stunning speed, Russia’s war in Ukraine is driving Western Europe into the outstretched arms of the United States again, especially apparent when President Joe Biden offered a major expansion of natural gas shipments to his European Union counterpart Friday.

Talking to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Biden said the core issue was “helping Europe reduce its dependency on Russian gas as quickly as possible.” And Europe, which relies on Moscow for 40% of the natural gas used to heat homes, generate electricity and drive industry, needs the help.

An economic miscalculation with massive geopolitical consequences, many European Union nations let themselves become ever more reliant on Russian fossil fuels over the years, vainly hoping trade would overcome Cold War enmity on a continent too often riven by conflict.

That longstanding practice meant the 27-nation bloc could not simply stop Russian energy imports as part of Western sanctions to punish Moscow for the invasion a month ago.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-poland-migration-c0c3b6421fc0d454abf53b4b6dd746bb

[lagomorph777]

1. Hate to say it, but fracking could save our asses this time.

Hopefully we begin to take seriously the need to get rid of fossil fuels and fossil fools altogether as soon as possible.

[Igel]

3. It wasn't the first suggestion to built LNG terminals

and import US natural gas to reduce reliance on Russian energy.

[hunter]

2. That will drive our own energy costs up, but it's worth it.

Unfortunately fossil fuel companies will go beyond fair price increases and gleefully proceed to price gouging. Their only interest is in maximizing the profits of their major share holders and the incomes of their directors. They don't care about the Ukrainian people or anyone else.

[lagomorph777]

4. Yes.

Unfortunately.