On September 11, 2023, a large LNG tanker docked at Yantai Port in China, reflecting the country’s growing imports of liquefied natural gas from nations like Malaysia, Russia, and Brazil, which accounted for 86% of imports in the first eight months of 2023. Meanwhile, Russian gas exports through Ukraine ceased on New Year’s Day, ending Russia’s dominance in Europe’s energy market. Ukraine’s refusal to renew a transit agreement has allowed Europe to diversify its energy sources, reducing reliance on Russian gas, especially following the Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian officials viewed this as a significant setback for Russia’s market presence and urged increased U.S. gas support for Europe.
