The United States questioned Russia's ability to shut off gas to Europe

The US does not believe that RUSSIA can shut off gas to Europe in response to sanctions. This was stated by the American Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield in an interview with the Rai 1 TV channel, her words are given on the website of the diplomatic mission.

“I believe it would harm Russia in equal measure, so it would not be in [the country’s] interest to cut off European access to the gas pipeline,” she said, when asked if the Joe Biden administration had a plan in case diplomatic attempts will fail and sanctions will have to be imposed, to which Russia can respond by cutting off gas supplies.

BLOOMBERG, in turn, citing sources familiar with this issue, reports that the Joe Biden administration is negotiating with Qatar about the possibility of supplying liquefied natural gas to Europe in the event of Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine and sanctions against it. According to two interlocutors, the President plans to invite Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to visit the United States, possibly as early as late January. As Bloomberg notes, some European countries fear that tough sanctions against Russia, which the West has threatened in the event of an escalation, could hurt their economies and prompt President Vladimir Putin to cut off or reduce gas supplies in the winter.