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Europe needs 6-8 years to move away from Russian gas — Austria’s ex-foreign minister

Karin Kneissl noted that in general, sanctions against Russia played a positive role in the development of the country's economy

YEKATERINBURG, April 16. /TASS/. Europe will need at least 6-8 years to find an alternative to Russian gas, the head of the GORKI center of St. Petersburg’s State University, energy analyst, professor, the ex-foreign minister of Austria, Karin Kneissl said.

"They are now trying to look for such sources, for example Qatar, but it’s all a matter of price and conditions. And this definitely won’t happen instantly, it [will take] at least 6-8 years," Kneissl said in response to a question about alternatives to Russian gas for Europe.

Austria’s ex-foreign minister noted that in general, sanctions against Russia played a positive role in the development of the country's economy.

"They forced Russian companies to solve problems on their own, to look for solutions. <…> Russia has again become a leading player in the areas not directly related to the export of resources," the professor said, noting that she likes the Russians’ pragmatic approach to solving problems.

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