Washington Times: Driving off Russian aggression with U.S. natural gas
The power struggle between Russia and its Eastern European neighbors is playing out again on the heels of the European Union's Eastern Partnership summit. The United States can change the political dynamic between Russia and its Central and Eastern European neighbors. The possibility of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) coming onto the world market could markedly change the balance of power in European energy markets and have significant strategic consequences.
Currently, Russia holds a tight grasp on Eastern European energy supplies, and it hasn’t been shy about using that supply as a way of wielding additional leverage in its relations with its neighbors from the former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact. An example of this is the deal struck between Russia and Ukraine over $15 billion in loans and natural-gas subsidies this week, which is a tactical victory for Russia just as thousands of Ukrainian protesters are asking their government to move closer to the European Union.
However, U.S. liquefied natural-gas exports to Europe could significantly undermine Russia’s regional influence. Several countries neighboring the Baltic Sea, including Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Poland, are considering importing U.S. liquefied natural gas to increase supply and help bring down prices. Lithuania’s planned terminal just received the green light from the European Union, with plans for it to be built by 2015. A pipeline will link the terminal to the country’s natural-gas grid, and may serve as a conduit to neighboring states.