Yes, that’s correct. Spain increased its gas imports from Russia in May 2023. According to data from Cores, an arm of the Energy and Environment Ministry, Spain imported the equivalent of 9,663 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of natural gas from Russia in May, more than twice the 4,357 GWh it imported in May 2022.

The increase in gas imports from Russia comes as Spain is trying to diversify its energy sources away from Algeria, its main supplier. Algeria has been cutting gas supplies to Spain in recent months in retaliation for Spain’s support for Morocco’s stance in the Western Sahara conflict.

The increase in gas imports from Russia is also a sign of the challenges facing the European Union in reducing its dependence on Russian energy. The EU has imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, but these sanctions have not yet had a significant impact on Russia’s energy exports.

The EU is trying to reduce its dependence on Russian energy by diversifying its suppliers and increasing its use of renewable energy. However, this is a long-term process, and it is likely that the EU will continue to import gas from Russia in the near future.

The increase in gas imports from Russia is a controversial issue in Spain. Some people argue that it is necessary to ensure the country’s energy security, while others argue that it is a mistake to support Russia’s war effort.

The Spanish government has said that it will continue to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, but it has also said that it will not compromise the country’s energy security.

It remains to be seen how the Spanish government will balance these two goals in the coming months and years.