Gas storage workerTOKYO, Feb 26 liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe against the backdrop of the situation in Ukraine, the Kyodo news agency reported. Currently, the terms of supply, in particular volumes and terms, are unknown. It is also not reported whether Japan will use LNG from reserves for supplies or will redirect part of the volumes it purchases from third countries. Earlier in February, the Japanese authorities decided to redirect part of the LNG to Europe in response to requests received by Tokyo from European countries and the United States. The first batch of gas should go to the final recipients this month. The day before, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, during a meeting of the budget commission of the upper house of parliament, confirmed that the country has an adequate supply of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), so no serious negative effect is expected on energy security of the country due to the situation in Ukraine. In turn, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Koichi Hagiuda, stressed that Tokyo will work together with the international community, but ensuring the energy security of the country's citizens remains a priority. Russia launched a military operation to demilitarize Ukraine early Thursday morning, February 24. In a televised address to the Russians, President Vladimir Putin said that circumstances «require decisive and immediate action from us, the people's republics of Donbass have asked for help.» According to the Russian leader, all responsibility for the bloodshed will be on the conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine. He urged the Ukrainian military not to follow the criminal orders of the Ukrainian authorities, to lay down their arms and go home.
