Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
The threat of economic sanctions would be more realistic if Europe did not depend so heavily on Russia for its natural gas. 40% of Germany’s natural gas and one third of Europe’s natural gas in general is imported from that country.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to diffuse tensions between Russia and the West following the overthrow of Ukrainian President Yanukovych. Should tensions escalate, one risk is the disruption of gas supplies from Russia to Europe via the Ukraine.
Resource scarcity, competition to dominate Eurasian energy corridors, are behind Russian militarism and US interference.
Waltzing with the Russian bear has never been a feat Europe was able to handle. With the fall of the Yanukovych regime already accomplished, the EU is now on a collision course with Moscow, which has threatened to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine in an effort to strong-arm the new administration in Kiev. My piece argues that Brussels is unprepared for such an outcome and that a three-pronged strategy, accomplishable in the medium term, is needed in order to achieve the long vaunted goal of energy independence from Moscow’s whims.
Ukraine is shaping up to be a lot like Yugoslavia, except with more than twice as many people, lots of crazed street fighters who think they now own the place, and a role critical to European energy security. If you aren’t in shock about this, then you haven’t been paying attention.
