Russia's Gazprom threatens to freeze Europe to death
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
On Monday, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) published its findings that Russia had made £141billion in profit from oil, gas and coal sales since the Ukraine invasion began six months ago. The Finnish think tank also estimated that Russia has spent only £86billion on the war, but no official figures have been released.
The think tank wrote: “Russia has cut gas exports to the EU by 75 percent, in an attempt to blackmail Europe.
“Yet the increases in gas prices have meant that the EU is paying Russia as much for gas as a year ago.”
Since the invasion of Ukraine began in February, the European Union has paid Russia £57billion and gas and oil deliveries, and Germany by itself has spent more than £16billion.
Russia has also traded energy with China and received £31billion in profits.
Last week, the Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which is Europe’s main gas supply route from Russia.
Gazprom has claimed that Europe’s sanctions on Russia for the Ukraine invasion have prevented regular maintenance of the pipeline.
A representative of Gazprom told Reuters that the pipeline would remain closed until it was fixed by Siemens Energy, a German company which usually works on the Nord Stream.
However, Siemens has said an oil leak would not cause a shutdown.
They said: “Such leaks do not normally affect the operation of a turbine and can be sealed on site. It is a routine procedure within the scope of maintenance work.”
A spokesman for President Putin, Dmitry Peskov, said: “Pumping problems arose because of sanctions imposed against our country and against a number of companies by Western states, including Germany and the UK.
“There are no other reasons that would lead to problems with pumping.”
Last year, The European Union received forty percent of its gas supply from Russia, with Germany being Europe’s biggest importer in 2021.
The UK is not reliant on Russia for its gas, as in 2021 it imported only four percent of its gas from Russia.
However, the crisis in Europe has raised the overall energy bills for British households, which has contributed to the cost of living crisis.
DON’T MISS:
Vladimir Putin ignores Russia army commander in blatant snub – VIDEO [VIDEO]
F***ed us hard’: Putin reeling as Kyiv launches Kharkiv attack [REVEAL]
North Korea scared after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine [REPORT]
President Putin’s spokesperson criticised European politicians for the current energy crisis.
Mr Peskov said: “It is obvious that Europe is getting worse for people, entrepreneurs, companies, to live and work: less money is being earned, the standard of living is falling.”
The European Union has said it will cut gas imports from Russia by two-thirds by 2023, but will not impose a gas ban.
The EU has said its latest trade sanctions on Russia would cut the amount of oil it buys from Russia by 90 percent, but will take months to come into full effect.
Ukraine’s leader has said Russia is preparing a “decisive energy attack” on all Europeans.
President Zelensky said: “It is trying to attack with poverty and political chaos where it cannot yet attack with missiles.”
He added that unity among European countries would help offer protection from the crisis.
Source: Read Full Article