US, Europe Draw Up Gas Supply Plan, Should Russian Cutoff Amid Ukraine Tensions

With Energy being the hottest topic on the front burner around the world today, US and European officials are coordinating with natural gas suppliers globally to cushion the impact if Russia were to cut off energy supplies in the conflict over Ukraine, Biden administration officials say.

The US and European allies have promised punishing economic and political sanctions if Russia moves its military into Ukraine, but worry about repercussions for Europeans from any such sanctions, including Russia potentially cutting off delivery of its natural gas to Europe at the height of winter.

Putin has deployed roughly 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s border for weeks, sparking a diplomatic crisis for Europe and the United States. He denies any intention of invading.

Any US and European measures against Russia in the event of an invasion “also have consequences for others, including us,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in remarks as part of a lecture series Monday night.

“There’s a cost imposed on everyone,” Blinken said. “But we have done a tremendous amount of work to mitigate any effects of sanctions on those…imposing them, as well as any retaliatory action that Russia might take.”

Two senior US administration officials separately briefed reporters Tuesday about efforts by Biden’s national security team to deal with any knock-on effects from sanctions. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the deliberations.