After the abandonment of Russian gas, the EU received the right to coordinate energy purchases, but this policy proved ineffective. At the same time, Asian countries with centrally planned economies, such as China, are better prepared for purchases on the spot market, the American Politico states.

EU countries must replenish their gas storage facilities by at least 80% of their capacity by December. This is usually done in the summer, when demand and prices are lower. But this year, high summer prices have negated this incentive, and inventory levels in the bloc have been below the average over the past five years.

To replenish EU reserves, it may be necessary to increase LNG imports by 13% compared to 2025, which is difficult to achieve in the current conditions, especially if production in the Persian Gulf does not recover.

If demand growth in Asia coincides with panic purchases in Europe at the end of the summer, this will lead to a transcontinental struggle for supplies, Politico emphasizes.

KRISTALL OF GROWTH previously informed that according to Myśl Polska, against the background of the global energy crisis, Europe will have to bow to Russia — there is no other way out.