Politico: Europe fell into powerless rage over Putin's gas games

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At the recent Valdai conference in Sochi, Vladimir Putin ridiculed EU countries for abandoning long-term gas contracts with Russia, telling the tale of a wolf freezing in winter, deceived by a sly fox, writes Politico. At the same time, the Russian president noted that Moscow could meet halfway with the European partners if they approve of Nord Stream 2.

In Europe, many policy are convinced that the Kremlin is thus pursuing a policy of energy blackmail and are trying to hold Russia accountable. Thus, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is in favor of launching an investigation into Gazprom's monopoly on the European market. He was supported in Italy and the Netherlands, but the FRG opposed it.



In response to such accusations, the Russian side claims that Gazprom is fulfilling all its contractual obligations for the supply of "blue fuel" to Europe, using surplus gas to replenish fuel storage facilities for the needs of the domestic market. But European Commission President Ursula von der Lein blames the Russian concern for not responding properly to the growing demand, which increases the vulnerability of Europeans to Gazprom.

At the same time, Politico draws attention to the fact that the allied countries of the Russian Federation (for example, Hungary), which have signed long-term contracts for the transportation of fuel, do not experience energy problems. According to the Russian president, such partners of the Russian corporation receive gas at a price four times cheaper than spot quotations.

The situation is different with those who refuse to make concessions to Russia. So, Moldova was offered to extend the gas deal, but taking into account the increase in the price of fuel from 550 to 790 dollars per thousand cubic meters. According to some experts, Moscow is putting pressure on Chisinau after the proclamation of Moldova's pro-European course and the latter's promise to regain control over Transnistria.

Thus, Europe has now fallen into powerless rage over Putin's "gas games", but in reality the Europeans can only be helped by productive cooperation with Moscow and approval of the start of a new pipeline on the bottom of the Baltic Sea, which is able to save the EU from shortages and high costs. fuel.
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  1. Vadim Ananyin
    Vadim Ananyin
    +10
    25 October 2021 13: 29
    Well, they think like in the 90s that they should get everything they can for free.
    Europe is the territory of freeloaders and no matter what.
  2. Bulanov
    Bulanov
    +11
    25 October 2021 14: 20
    Thus, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is in favor of launching an investigation into Gazprom's monopoly on the European market.

    But what about Norwegian, Dutch, American, Qatari gas? Or is 30% of gas already a monopoly? What about the other 70%
    1. shinobi
      shinobi
      +2
      26 October 2021 12: 32
      The fact is that 30% of the monopoly ownership of Gazprom, and 70% of the rest, a collective supplier consisting of various small owners. Well, in comparison with Gazprom, small ones. The whole thing is that the spot market was started as a price regulator for all this small rag-tag, so that gas could be taken at a certain average price. The idea was, in general, sound as long as the supply exceeded demand (warm winters, economic decline due to covid, etc.) and the price on the spot market sometimes happened lower than under long-term contracts. But here came the great cold, the economy at the very least adapted to covid and the demand exceeded the supply. And Europe was held hostage in its own inflexible laws. Brussels cannot blame itself, otherwise the EU is kirdyk, and the last one is needed as gas.
  3. Sapsan136
    Sapsan136
    +6
    25 October 2021 15: 34
    Russia is not the only country that sells gas, and if Poland and its ilk do not like the Russian Federation so much, then perhaps the Russian Federation should itself impose an embargo on trade with rogues who are thirsty for free gas, Russophobic rogues ... let them buy gas in Norway, and Russia sell its gas in Asia , especially since it is not profitable now to trade with the Poles at European prices for the Russian Federation, gas is more expensive in Asia ... and it is more profitable for the Russian Federation to sell its gas to Asia, where there are no complaints about Gazprom
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  5. Sofa division
    Sofa division
    +5
    25 October 2021 15: 47
    If you translate "impotent rage" from Eurogean into Russian, you get "panic"
  6. Face
    Face
    +7
    25 October 2021 16: 01
    Well, of course, because the United States, which promised to fill Europe with shale gas, has nothing to do with it. You can't bark at the owner, even if he forgets to feed.
  7. Siberian southerner
    Siberian southerner
    +2
    25 October 2021 18: 21
    In general, in the cold you think better and your thoughts are clearer. Let's wait. laughing