European Gas Prices Go Up Every Day..."Only the U.S. is good."

[Anchor]
As Russian gas supplies through Ukraine are completely cut off in the new year, gas prices in Europe continue to rise day after day.

The EU says there is no significant disruption in supply right now.

Russia, which has suffered significant economic losses, has criticized Europe for doing good only for the United States at its expensive sacrifices.

Reporter Park Young-jin reports.

[Reporter]
Gas prices in Europe are rising day after day.

It once soared to its highest level since October 2023 during the two days of local time.

It is attributed to the expiration of the contract for the Russian natural gas transport agreement through the Ukrainian gas pipeline as of the 31st of last month.

Ukraine refused to extend the contract, saying it would no longer add to Russia's war costs.

The EU Commission says there is enough stockpile for now so there is no disruption to gas supplies across Europe.

Since the war in Ukraine, EU countries have reduced their dependence on Russian energy.

Before the war, Russia supplied 40% of the EU's natural gas consumption, but it fell to less than 15% in 2023.

However, Moldova, which borders Ukraine, is bearing the brunt of the shutdown of Russian gas supplies, with heating and hot water supplies cut off in some areas.

Russia has argued that the suspension of Russian gas supplies would weaken Europe's economic potential.

As U.S.-made energy fills the vacancy in Russia, European countries have to pay a higher price, and the U.S. takes care of the benefits.

As of 2023, Norway had the largest share of natural gas supply to EU countries at 30%, followed by the United States at 19%.

It is predicted that the U.S., the world's largest gas exporter, could increase its share further as Russian natural gas exports to Europe are blocked.

I'm Park Youngjin of YTN.

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video: Choi Yeon-ho