Qatar may soon export natural gas to Europe amid the looming conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

For weeks, Russia has been amassing troops on the border with its western neighbor. Some in Ukraine fear an imminent invasion as a result, though the Kremlin adamantly denies it. One reason for the buildup is Russian opposition to Ukraine and other former Soviet Union states joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Though talks are ongoing, the United States has so far refused to back down on Ukraine potentially joining the military alliance. Russia and Ukraine are also still fighting over several breakaway regions from eastern Ukraine. 

Russia supplies Europe with one-third of its natural gas supply, and a war could disrupt that flow. The European Union supports Ukraine, and some Baltic EU member states are planning to send it weapons. Some analysts allege Russia is already disrupting gas flow to the continent. 

The looming energy crisis prompted the United States to ask Qatar to consider rerouting some of its natural gas exports to Europe should a war break out. US President Joe Biden and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will discuss “ensuring the stability of global energy supplies” in Washington on Jan. 31, according a White House statement.