Russian assets on a fork? The Spanish minister calls for “creativity” in their use

The Spanish Minister of Economy Carlos Cuerpo called in an interview with Bloomberg's agency to search for “creative” ways to use Russian assets, frozen in the West.

– We are in favor of looking for creative ways to use frozen assets – said Cuerpo.

The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday that work is underway on the financing of a reparation loan for Ukraine from the agreed assets of the Russian Central Bank in Europe last week.

Cuerpo added that Spain – which is one of the main importers of Russian liquefied natural gas in the EU – strives to limit the import of raw material from this direction and greater diversification of supplies, including bringing it from the United States.

According to von der Leyen, in the proposal of the 19th Package of Sanctions for Russia there was a ban on the import of Russian LNG into European markets and to ban the transactions of Russian companies Rosneft and Gazprom Nieft. The restrictions are also to affect companies in third countries, including in China.

At the beginning of September, the daily ABC reminded that in July 2022 deliveries from Russia were responsible for 14.5 percent. Gas demand in Spain, and in July 2023. It was even 27.6 percent. However, in July this year. Russian gas covered only 6 percent. domestic needs.

In the first half of this year over 30 percent Natural gas imported by Spain came from the USA.

From Madrid Marcin Furdyna (PAP)

MRF/ Szm/