Europe can reduce energy dependence on russia faster than previously predicted.
Draghi said about this in his interview with Corriere Della Sera.
“Diversification is possible and can be done relatively quickly, sooner than we imagined just a month ago,” the Italian prime minister said after agreeing to increase gas imports from Algeria. “We have gas in storage and there will be new gas from other suppliers.”
He added that the savings measures are moderate: “We're talking about reducing the heating temperature by 1-2 degrees and similar changes for air conditioners.”
The prime minister noted that Italy's suggestion to limit the price of natural gas used for power generation to reduce dependence on russia “is gaining consensus among other European countries”.
“Europe continues to finance russia by buying oil and gas, among other things, at a price unrelated to historical values and production costs,” he said.
Now Italy receives about 40 percent of its gas from russia and the country is looking for alternative sources after russian troops invaded Ukraine.
Mario Draghi also stated that it is futile to have phone conversations about war with Vladimir Putin because they do not lead to any result.
On April 17 Italy, Romania, Belgium and Lithuania closed ports for russian ships.