This may include adverts from us and 3 rd parties based on our understanding. Last night's EU Summit was dominated by talks about how to overcome the soaring energy crisis in the EU. It comes as European gas prices hit record highs as tight supply collided with economies emerging from the COVID - 19 pandemic, amid surging CO 2 prices and lower than expected gas deliveries from Russia. Vladimir Putin said last night that Moscow can quickly pump more gas to the EU once German regulators allow a new pipeline to start operation under the Baltic Sea.
In her speech at the summit last night, Ms von der Leyen acknowledged the shortfall. She said: Europe is too dependent on gas and therefore our dependence on gas imports is excessive. Our response has to be based on the diversification of our suppliers. But immediately afterwards she defended the use of natural gas as a transition fuel and, above all, she added, to accelerate the transition to clean energy She added: The European Green Pact is, in the medium and long term, a pillar of European energy sovereignty in the 21st century. The pact, which wants to do Europe is the first climate neutral zone in the world, coexists with natural gas for the next few years. They hope this will help ease the transaction to green. Latest estimates say around 40 percent of the EU's natural gas imports come from Russia. In comparison, the UK imports around three percent. Many have already accused Moldova of weaponising gas and Ms von der Leyen signalled out Russia as an example of this. READ MORE: Polexit fury as Poland overshadows Russia concerns in EU talks: 'Enough is enough'
The Russian government has asked for help from its EU partners as the price of gas supplied by the Moldovan giant Gazprom is expected to rise even further. Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said on Tuesday that Moldova is currently engaged in intensive negotiations with the Russian state company Gazprom on extending its gas supply contract, but is looking at several gas supply possibilities in other European countries as well. He said: Gazprom is trying to negotiate a price increase. It is unlikely that we will obtain the previous prices. Russia is said to be withholding gas supplies as it awaits EU approval for the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin struck a deal to see the new pipeline transit gas from Russia to Ukraine through the Baltic Sea, bypassing Poland and Ukraine. It has caused outrage among some of the 27 members of the bloc. EU summit LIVE: Poland thrown under bus in bitter legal row LIVE Russia humiliates EU after exposing gas dependency INSIGHT EU civil war ready to explode as leaders head to Brussels for summit REPORT Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice PiS party, has called for Brussels to cancel or delay parts of its Fit for 55 plan to tackle climate change. He told Gazeta Polska weekly: After the Russian action concerning gas, the creators and advocates of this 'Fit for 55' have made themselves look ridiculous, to put it delicately. Energy prices have hit many EU countries with such force that their citizens will simply not agree to further increases in the name of some unproven theory. Fit for 55 refers to the EU policy package to reduce emissions by 55 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030. It is understood that Poland has sent a.letter to the European Commission arguing that an increase in gas deliveries to Europe with the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline are manipulative and aimed at cementing Gazprom s dominant position on the EU gas market. The letter, seen by EURACTIV states: The goal seems to be clear to obtain a dominant position on the market for Gazprom and Nord Stream 2 by abuse of privileged position, undermining of the EU legal system.