Jaroslav Neverovic said that Lithuania was being forced to pay a "political price" for being entirely¹ dependent on Russian gas supplies.

 

The crisis in Ukraine has led to calls for the US to ease its current restrictions² on gas exports.

 

Some analysts³ have suggested that doing so would help challenge Russia's dominance in the sector⁴.

 

In his statement to a US Senate committee, Mr Neverovic urged members to do everything within their power to release natural gas resources "into the world market".

 

"A law enacted⁵ in your country some 75 years ago denies us access to your abundant and affordably priced energy resources," he said.

 

The energy minister said customers in Lithuania were having to pay 30% more for natural gas than other European nations, because they were "beholden to a monopolistic supplier."

 

"This is not just unfair," said Mr Neverovic. "This is abuse of monopolist position."

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