According to a report published by the environmental pressure group Greenpeace, Belgium, has spent more on imports Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) than it has on aid to Ukraine since the war began on 24 February 2022.
Greenpeace report says that Belgium spends more on Russian LNG than it does on aid for Ukraine
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Along with France, Spain and the Netherlands, Belgium accounts for 95% LNG imports from Russia into the EU. Together these four countries paid 34.3 billion euro for imports of Russian LNG between 2022 and the middle of this year. This compares with a total of 21.2 billion euro in bilateral aid for Ukraine.
France is the largest purchaser of Russian LNG, having spent 12.75 billion euro on LNG from the Russian Federation. Since the start of the war France has spent 12.75 billion euro on Russian LNG. Spain has spent 9.5 billion euro with Belgium being the third largest EU customer, having spent 6.21 billion euro on Russian LNG since 2022.
Meanwhile, Belgium has spent 3.2 billion euro on aid for Ukriane since February 2022.
Zeebrugge “largest entry port in the EU for Russian LNG”
According to the report, the West Flemish port of Zeebrugge has become the single largest entry point for Russian LNG in the EU.
Zeebrugge handles around a quarter of all LNG that enters the EU from Russia. Imports through the port’s LNG terminal reached 3.3 billion m³ the first half of this year. This puts it on track to beat previous records despite an EU ban on re-exports.