Europe's energy crisis: What's Russia's role? | DW News

Energy prices are rising rapidly all over Europe. Especially now that Winter is coming and heating is in higher demand. Many consumers are worried, especially in Spain. Mikhail Krutikhin, co-founder and leading analyst of RusEnergy, an independent consulting agency based in Moscow, says Russia plays a huge role in the current gas shortages and rising prices in Europe.
He says Putin is basically declaring war on the EU, using Russia's gas reserves as his main weapon.

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[alexfrancis]

EU talking about blackmail is like Tony blair talking about WMD's in Iraq

[Nonplused]

Funny I didn't realize that if you owned something you were obligated to sell it and sell it at a price determined by the buyer.

[MrReachashish]

Russia increasing gas price : blackmail
Europe colonising RoW : it's just trade.
Hypocrisy at it's best.

[divisionnordland]

Stop spreading misinformation. Europeans can blame them self for this situation.

[fourshore]

Yeah sure lets just all blame russia for all our problems again, how original. The great big boogeyman of the east lol.

[sammygizmo]

You demonized Russia an expect a cheaper gas?

[glorf]

So russia is the one blackmailing, not a certain other state that put on sanctions on the pipeline years ago and by that endagering the energy security of europe.

[jtt]

Why blame others ? This is Economy 101: Supply and Demand.

[dersimon]

This is misleading. Gazprom is delivering more gas than required by long term delivery contracts. And Russia is open to negotiate new, long term delivers contracts. Also the price for gas on the spot market is 5 times higher than the price Gazprom receives. Why should they deliver more than required Without compensation? Eu policy was not very friendly to Russia in the recent past.

[jon_nomad]

Then, buy the super expensive US gas.

[igormurzilkin]

Why does not DW ask : Where has gone US LNG ?

[NikolaAvramov]

Russia in 1999: "Our economy is shambles! We need money! Help us!"
EU: "No such thing as free lunch, comrade!"

Russia in 2021: "You have to pay if you want our resources."
DW: "That's literally extortion!"

[louisverheem]

This is pretty simple, Russia feels the Ukrainian pipeline isn't in Russias best interest. They want the Nortstream pipeline approved. The EU isn't approving the pipeline so Russia feels they are under no obligation to increase supply to Europe. Fair is fair!

[wiseass]

If Russia is honoring their contract, then how is that blackmail?

[antred]

As a European, I must say that we put ourselves in this situation (of being dependent on Russia) _knowingly_, so if we want to blame someone let's blame our naive little selves.

[-ThisIsTheWay-]

this is kinda like asking a builder to hurry up with your house without giving him the plans or any reimbursement guarantee. they are not just going to supply gas without a contract, the ball is in your court and you guys are just sitting on it. sorry for the inconvenience of the truth.

[ricimer]

Politicians and bureaucrats admitting they are wrong, you are living in a dream world.

[Game_Changer_]

why blame others when you yourself were unable to ready your country for the winter?

[aminuaidara]

If you want to keep on blaming Russia why don't you produce your own energy and stop all this crying and complaining you don't want Russian gas other countries want Russia gas I have listing to President Putin's respond to all this ridiculous accusations and he's making more sense than the Europeans you don't want long-term contract and when your demand is high you want charity from Russia or what

[IlyaTsodikov]

Russia clearly fulfills a long term contracts. Countries with these contracts don’t have any problem with gas and price is 200-300$. Countries who buy gas in stocks have price 1000-1200$. If you want a stability, don’t play on stocks but sign contract with gazprom for 40-60% of all gas you usually buying.(Khaby Lame). Your government didn’t do that and you blame Russia as usual.