Russia became the leading supplier of natural gas to the European Union (EU) in 2019, reaching 20% or about 12-13 million tonnes net, while the US equivalent was 10% or 9 million tonnes. 

According to Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, the number of LNG consumer countries has doubled in recent years as consumption of natural gas has been increasing steadily, with strong examples Spain and France. 

Energy analysts estimate that "the share of natural gas is projected to further increase, as it is the most reliable means in the global energy transition as opposed to coal and oil, which are expected to decline.”