Qatar cannot replace Russia as a Fuel Gas supplier, Qatar Energy Minister tells Europe

Doha: – The European Union has not agreed to sanctions against the Russian fuel sector. Western media claimed that the European countries had appealed to Qatar to fulfil their fuel needs and have been successful. But the Qatari Energy Minister has confessed to Europe that Qatar cannot replace Russia as the biggest supplier of fuel gas. At the same time, Qatar clarified that it would not take sides in the conflict raging since the last month.

Nearly 30% to 40% of the fuel gas supplied worldwide is from Russia alone. Whereas, the countries from the European Union depend on Russia for 40% of their fuel gas requirements. Therefore, Russia has become the biggest exporter of fuel gas to the European countries. The fuel gas was being supplied from Russia to Europe through Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine war has threatened the gas supply in the current scenario.

Against this background, the United States appealed to the Saudi led OPEC, the association of oil-producing countries, to increase production for the European countries. But Saudi expressed its inability on this front, citing the Houthi Rebels’ growing attacks. Last week, although the German Finance Minister visited Qatar and discussed the supply of natural gas, the matter that Germany does not have the terminals to dock the fuel gas tankers and unload the gas came to the fore. Therefore, it is exposed that it would take time for Germany to receive fuel gas from Qatar even if Qatar agreed.

Moreover, US President Joe Biden, on a visit to Europe and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, announced a fuel partnership on Friday. It is claimed that the Biden administration has decided to reduce the European dependence on Russia for Fuels. But the leading European countries like Germany, Netherlands and Austria are still opposed to imposing sanctions against the Russian fuel sector.

In this scenario, Qatari Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi accepted during an interview with a US news channel that Qatar cannot replace Russia as the most significant fuel gas supplier to European countries. Kaabi clarified that Qatar can supply fuel gas to Europe but cannot meet its demand. This comes as a major jolt to the United States and European Union, which announced that an alternative would be found for Russian fuels.