Putin given 'vast power' over European economies says expert
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Moscow’s gas giant, state-owned Gazprom, has seen profits soar as European prices reached record highs following a boost in global energy demand, poor weather conditions and Mr Putin’s tightening of gas flow. The Russian President appeared to curb fears of a winter crisis after stepping in on Wednesday and stating that his country could export record volumes of the vital fuel to the continent this year. But it could come at a torrid price.
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak. said on Wednesday that certification of a new gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2, would be able to curb the skyrocketing European gas prices.
Now, Lisa Badum, a member of the German Green party, has told Express.co.uk why “this is not the right path” for Berlin.
She said: “Our European partners really weren’t enthusiastic about this and we have totally isolated ourselves.
“We are now seeing the prices for gas rising and several states have problems to get it under control, and this is what happens when you rely on fossil energies.
“I think now is a good time, with the gas crisis, to make a change and stop this kind of politics that makes Putin stronger.”
The pipeline is a deal struck between Ms Merkel and Mr Putin to transport gas from Russia into Germany through the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine and Poland.
But Mr Putin has already restricted the flow of gas travelling into Europe in what is said to be a bid to avoid EU rules being implemented as it still awaits approval from German regulators before its gas flow can begin.
Official figures from Gazprom showed showed the decrease came via Belarus and Poland by 70 percent and via Ukraine by 20 percent in just one week.
Critics have hammered Ms Merkel for giving Mr Putin this much control over gas supplies, with claims that he is able to use Nord Stream 2 as a geopolitical weapon that makes the EU reliant on Russian gas supplies.
The most recent data puts Germany’s reliance on natural gas imports from Russia at about 40 percent.
In comparison, less than one percent of UK’s gas supplies came from Russia.
But Ms Merkel has denied that Russia has played any role in the energy crisis.
She told reporters on Wednesday: “To my knowledge, there are no orders where Russia has said we won’t deliver it to you, especially not with regard to the pipeline in Ukraine.
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“Russia can only deliver gas on the basis of contractual obligations, and not just only like that.”
And Mr Putin has followed the same tune.
Speaking at a televised meeting with Russian energy officials, he said: “They’ve made mistakes.”
He argued the EU’s choice to terminate long-term contracts in favour of the spot market was a critical factor in the energy crisis.
Speaking at a televised meeting with Russian energy officials, he said: “They’ve made mistakes.”
He argued the EU’s choice to terminate long-term contracts in favour of the spot market was a critical factor in the energy crisis.
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