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Added on the 05/04/2022 22:33:40 - Copyright : Euronews EN
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warns that the eurozone could fall into recession next year in the case of a total shutdown of Russian gas supplies. The "downside scenario" for 2023 foresees negative growth in the case of a "total shutdown of all Russian gas supply" and energy rationing in the eurozone, she said, after the ECB unleashed a record rate hike. SOUNDBITE
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen warns that "Russia is blackmailing" EU member states and "using energy as a weapon." Russian President Vladimir Putin has played hot and cold in recent days with his threats to cut off gas deliveries to the bloc of 27 members, but Brussels is asking EU countries to prepare for the worst. SOUNDBITE
The European Commission urges EU countries to reduce their demand for natural gas by 15 percent over the coming winter months to overcome Russia's energy supply "blackmail". SOUNDBITE
In Luxembourg, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner says it is not yet possible for the EU to cut Russian gas imports as a sanction against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. SOUNDBITE
A tanker carrying Russian liquefied natural gas, or LNG, finally landed in Boston on Sunday, despite US-imposed sanctions against the company operating the Russian facility. The French LNG tanker Gaselys landed after sitting outside Boston Harbour for several days. This shipment of Russian LNG to the US is unprecedented and is considered to be the first Russian LNG imported into the United States.
U.S. President Barack Obama says Russian forces continue to operate in eastern Ukraine and that world's major powers stand ready to impose tougher sanctions if needed. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).