War, so war! What if Russia cuts off UK gas ...
A tough discord in relations between Russia and Great Britain came in very inopportune just for the last side. From March 17th, a severe cooling is expected in Northwest Europe. Although half the first month of spring has already passed, the weather in the UK can hardly be called spring. Where it is cold, there is a growing need for heat, and the only really serious source of energy for Europe is Russian gas.
Recently, there has been a serious seasonal jump in demand for Russian gas, due to the lack of other real alternative options. For example, Norway’s reserves, previously considered Europe’s main “gas insurer”, have long been not so large as to cover the gas needs of the entire European Union.
In late February - early March 2018, Europe was already faced with a cooling as a result of the atmospheric front "The Beast from the East." As a result, serious gas reserves were spent. Now gas reserves in Germany, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands and Belgium have reached record low levels, comparable only to the situation in the winter of 2010-2011. Moreover, while total reserves are estimated at 7 billion cubic meters, the UK accounts for only 0,4 billion cubic meters.
Naturally, the needs of Misty Albion in gas are much higher. The UK remains among the European countries with the most expensive heating. Many Britons, being unable to pay for the heating completely, turn it on only for a few hours to warm up the apartment, and then turn it off again. If it gets really cold, representatives of the poor population go to bask in public places - in libraries or in inexpensive cafes.
It would seem that in such a situation the UK needs to be friends with Russia, which is the main supplier of cheap gas to Western Europe. But political Ambition for British leaders is far more important than living comfortably in the warmth. In addition, London is used to making a displeased mine and emphasizing its independence from the supply of Russian resources. For example, recently, British Prime Minister Theresa May said that the country will seek to reduce dependence on Russian gas supplies.
Meanwhile, for Russia, reducing gas supplies to Europe can be an excellent tool for exerting pressure on London itself, constantly demonstrating ostentatious hostility and stooping to overt provocations like the Skripal affair. If Moscow still decides to give up for a while economic benefit and demonstrate what it is like to live without Russian gas, the UK will not be too good. Of course, it is still possible to cope with the tasks of space heating, but what will British production do if the gas supplies from Russia are cut off or scaled down?
Recently, there has been a serious seasonal jump in demand for Russian gas, due to the lack of other real alternative options. For example, Norway’s reserves, previously considered Europe’s main “gas insurer”, have long been not so large as to cover the gas needs of the entire European Union.
In late February - early March 2018, Europe was already faced with a cooling as a result of the atmospheric front "The Beast from the East." As a result, serious gas reserves were spent. Now gas reserves in Germany, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands and Belgium have reached record low levels, comparable only to the situation in the winter of 2010-2011. Moreover, while total reserves are estimated at 7 billion cubic meters, the UK accounts for only 0,4 billion cubic meters.
Naturally, the needs of Misty Albion in gas are much higher. The UK remains among the European countries with the most expensive heating. Many Britons, being unable to pay for the heating completely, turn it on only for a few hours to warm up the apartment, and then turn it off again. If it gets really cold, representatives of the poor population go to bask in public places - in libraries or in inexpensive cafes.
It would seem that in such a situation the UK needs to be friends with Russia, which is the main supplier of cheap gas to Western Europe. But political Ambition for British leaders is far more important than living comfortably in the warmth. In addition, London is used to making a displeased mine and emphasizing its independence from the supply of Russian resources. For example, recently, British Prime Minister Theresa May said that the country will seek to reduce dependence on Russian gas supplies.
Meanwhile, for Russia, reducing gas supplies to Europe can be an excellent tool for exerting pressure on London itself, constantly demonstrating ostentatious hostility and stooping to overt provocations like the Skripal affair. If Moscow still decides to give up for a while economic benefit and demonstrate what it is like to live without Russian gas, the UK will not be too good. Of course, it is still possible to cope with the tasks of space heating, but what will British production do if the gas supplies from Russia are cut off or scaled down?
Information