The United States is trying to make sure that Europe does not suffer from an energy shortage as the situation in Eastern Europe develops, especially as the West fears that Moscow will respond to any additional sanctions against it in the event of further unrest by reducing the flow of gas into Europe.

The White House also spoke with gas producers to see if they could increase production in emergency situations, and sources said that producers included Qatar, Nigeria, Egypt and Libya.

The United States and its European allies have reached out to several major natural gas importers in Asia, including China, about sending fuel to Europe in the event of a conflict over Ukraine, and have reached out to producers including Qatar, Egypt and Libya.

Sources familiar with Bloomberg said President Joe Biden's administration had spoken to officials in Japan, South Korea, India, as well as China, but that contact with Beijing was limited.