Russia stopped supplying Europe with natural gas through gas pipelines that pass through Ukraine — which has already increased prices in several countries, and could also complicate life in Portugal.
Our country is not among the countries that are already being affected by increases in natural gas price then through Ukraine. But Portuguese consumers could also be affected.
At this point, Portugal depends on “unstable Muslim-majority areas” for the supply of , as highlighted by the specialist in international relations, José Filipe Pinto, in statements to the magazine .
José Filipe Pinto specifically refers to the Maghreb region (which includes Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) and Nigeriahighlighting that these areas “are politically very unstable”.
“Something similar to what happened in Syria could suddenly happen,” he warns.
Portugal may have to buy more expensive natural gas
If the worst-case scenarios happen, “Portugal will not have strategic reserves”adds José Filipe Pinto.
Thus, the country would have to look for other forms of supply, from “USA, Norway or Qatar“, notes the expert.
“The problem is that these countries sell more expensive gas “, he continues, concluding that, “sooner or later, this scenario will have an impact on consumers’ pockets”.
“In principle, Portugal will not yet be affected”, says Paulo Batista Ramos, professor at the University of Minho and specialist in international relations, noting that “in a second moment”this could happen.
“Portugal could have a particularly strategic role”
Paulo Batista Ramos considers that this is a good time for Portugal to move forward with gas pipeline construction projects that are in the drawer.
“The Iberian Peninsula, including Portugal, could have a particularly strategic role to supply all of Europe“, argues the UM professor. “The problem is convince the French“, he highlights.
“The Germans are more convinced, but the French are the ones who want to sell their energy”, points out the expert.
Russian gas suspension benefits US
José Filipe Pinto also refers to Sábado that “the great beneficiary” with the suspension of Russian natural gas “it’s the USA”.
“Thanks to this cut, Donald Trump will receive a extra funding from European Union countries which I did not count on and this could be a compensation for the future of peace business in Ukraine“, adds the expert.
“Trump has an asset here that can serve as exchange currency so that Putin gets territorial concessionssuch as Crimea and Donbass”, concludes José Filipe Pinto.
