A pipeline designed to transport Russian gas to the EU. File photoMOSCOW, Oct. 18 The European Union refused to immediately set a gas price ceiling due to political differences, according to a document obtained by the Bloomberg agency. Thus, today the European Commission must agree on new energy proposals that would avoid sharp price hikes and use the EU's joint purchasing power as leverage in negotiations with global gas suppliers. .jpg» />Europe's gas prices drop to nearly $1,200 per thousand cubic meters»The EU is unveiling a new emergency package to tackle the energy crisis, betting on steps to build solidarity among member states. But the bloc will refrain from immediately capping gas prices amid political differences and concerns about security of supply,” writes Bloomberg. In addition, the European Commission wants to launch a new price index for liquefied natural gas. This will help «better reflect the region's energy reality after Russia cut off pipeline gas supplies.» Western countries continue to discuss various measures to limit Russia's energy export earnings. In early October, the eighth package of EU sanctions came into force, which includes a legislative framework for setting a price ceiling for maritime transportation of Russian oil. However, the introduction of a gas price ceiling does not yet find understanding among all members of the union — for example, Hungary stated that it would not support proposals that would jeopardize the security of energy supplies. President Vladimir Putin, commenting on the idea of u200bu200ba price ceiling, noted that Russia would not deliver abroad if it would be contrary to its interests. The head of Gazprom, Alexei Miller, for his part, said that a unilateral price cap by the EU would be a violation of the essential terms of the contract, and this would lead to a cessation of supplies.
The European Union reduced gas consumption in the second quarter of 2022
