Total Accused of Supporting Russia’s War Efforts
Global Witness, an NGO, has accused French energy giant Total of supporting Russia’s “war machine” by purchasing significant amounts of Russian energy, particularly liquified natural gas (LGN). According to their analysis, Total is the largest non-Russian buyer of Russian LNG, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
TotalEnergies Profits Amid Ukraine War
TotalEnergies announced impressive profits of €10.4 billion in 2023, which coincide with surging energy prices due to the Ukraine war. However, Global Witness highlights the impact of Total’s continued purchase of Russian gas, arguing that it indirectly supports Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Global Witness Calls for EU
Action Jonathan Noronha-Gant, Senior Campaigner at Global Witness, stresses the urgency for EU action to address the situation. Global Witness claims that Total purchased over 10% of Russia’s LGN shipments, amounting to nearly 4.2 million cubic meters of fuel. They point to a long-term contract that allows Total to exploit a gas field in Siberia and reap substantial profits.
EU Sanctions and Reliance on Russian LNG
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has imposed sanctions on oil and coal imports from Russia over the sea. However, the bloc has not yet sanctioned Russian LNG, and EU countries have increased their overall purchases of it, contradicting their pledge to end the use of Russian fossil fuels by 2027.
Total’s Response and Calls for Action
Total defended its actions, claiming compliance with EU sanctions and condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine. The company also noted a decline in Russian gas purchases this year. Nevertheless, Global Witness renews its call for the EU to ban trade in Russian LNG and impose a 100% tax on profits received by companies from the start of the invasion.
As the EU faces mounting pressure to address the issue, there is no consensus on the most appropriate course of action. The potential risks of inflating energy prices and unintentionally bolstering Russian energy revenues further add complexity to the decision-making process. However, Global Witness emphasizes the urgency of taking action to cut off Russian LNG and alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Total has indicated it would discontinue trade if EU security policy changes and Russian gas becomes sanctioned.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Reuters
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