U.S. takes measures to reduce Russian influence on Europe

The U.S. is aiming to begin exporting natural gas to Europe in 2015 in order to reduce the continent’s dependence on Russian energy sources, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told an April 2 meeting of the EU-U.S. Energy Council, also attended by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Energy Issues Gunther Oettinger. “We supply more gas than all of Europe consumes today,” Kerry said. “And our task is to address urgent challenges that exist currently in Ukraine, which have a critical nature.”

The U.S. House of Representatives approved on April 2 a bill offering financial aid to Ukraine and imposing sanctions against Russians involved in violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which had already been approved by the U.S. Senate. U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the legislation. The aid consists of USD 1 bln in loan guarantees, and USD 50 mln for rule of law, anti-corruption and democracy-strengthening initiatives.  Another USD 100 mln is earmarked for enhancing security cooperation with the EU.