Under the plan, the US and other nations will increase liquified natural gas exports to Europe by 15 billion cubic meters this year, though US officials were unable to say exactly which countries will provide the extra energy this year. Even larger shipments would be delivered in the future.

U.S. President Joe Biden asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses energy to “coerce and manipulate his neighbors” and uses the profits from its sale to “drive his war machine.”

Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive arm, said it is important for Europe to shift away from Russia and toward energy suppliers that are trustworthy, friendly, and reliable.

“We aim to reduce this dependence on Russian fossil fuels and get rid of it,” she said.

Biden said the partnership he announced jointly with a top European Union official will turn that dynamic on its head by reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy sources, as well reducing the continent’s demand for gas overall.