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EU depends on Russian gas, which is not under sanctions yet - European Commissioner

In Thierry Breton words, the European Union "is prepared" for an embargo

PARIS, May 1. /TASS/. The European Union depends on supplies of Russian natural gas, which has not yet been included into the package of European sanctions against Russia, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton told the France Inter radio.

"Today, Europe is dependent on Russian gas," he admitted. "We are importing 155 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually. However, from the very outset, we have started to draft a package of measures to free from this dependence."

In his words, the European Union "is prepared" for an embargo.

"This plan is ready, even though gas is not on the list of sanctions at the moment," he said.

The official has also spoken in favor of imposing more sanctions on Russia.

"At present, the European Union is working on the sixth package of sanctions. It is in the process of discussions," Breton added.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by heads of the Donbass republics. He stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, but the goal is demilitarization and denazification of that country. In response, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries imposed large-scale sanctions against Russia and boosted arms supplies to the Ukrainian government.