[Six+ years old story] Europe plunged into energy crisis as Russia cuts off gas supply via Ukraine

Daily Mail ^ | circa 2009 or before | Robert Lea

[tcrlaf]

Russia cut gas exports to Europe by 60 per cent today, plunging the continent into an energy crisis 'within hours' as a dispute with Ukraine escalated.

This morning, gas companies in Ukraine said that Russia had completely cut off their supply.

Six countries reported a complete shut-off of Russian gas shipped via Ukraine today, in a sharp escalation of a struggle over energy that threatens Europe as winter sets in.

Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Croatia and Turkey all reported a halt in gas shipments from Russia through Ukraine.

Croatia said it was temporarily reducing supplies to industrial customers while Bulgaria said it had enough gas for only 'for a few days' and was in a 'crisis situation'.

[Star Traveler]

Russia to Shift Ukraine Gas Transit to Turkey as EU Cries Foul

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-14/russia-to-shift-ukraine-gas-transit-to-turkey-as-eu-cries-foul.html

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you for your perspective on this.

Are you thinking Putin may score here. In your first paragraph it seemed not, but the second seemed to leave the door open.

It’s a crap shoot. I’d rather not see the guy score off this.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

I would certainly hope there is a competent Plan B - what hasn't been mentioned so far is all the islamokazis camped out all over Europe who may be encouraged to organize and take advantage of a widespread crisis such as this. Lots of internal security implications to be had in that respect.

 

 

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the mention.

When China has worked it’s magic, Russia will be slim pickins.

I wonder just out astute Russian leaders are watching the eastern portion of their country occupied by Chinese illegals.

[Star Traveler]

Russia Is Losing Control Over The European Gas Market

http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-losing-european-gas-2015-1

[Rashputin]

The outcome will be that OSCE or some EU group takes over control of the pipeline through Ukraine making sure Ukraine doesn't siphon off gas.

Every interruption in gas to the EU has been over Ukraine stealing gas and claiming it wasn't doing so. In every case, investigation showed that Russia put the gas the EU countries paid for into their end of the pipeline, paid transit fees to Ukraine on that amount, and less than was shipped came out on the other side of Ukraine.

If it wasn't a serious problem Russia wouldn't have planned South Stream that the EU worked so hard to stop. Now, Turkey can be the major supplier of gas to the EU. Who they sell it to and at what price will be a non-issue for Russia.

What Turkey doesn't want for one reason or another can go to China, Japan, South Korea, etc. Russia won't be dealing with the EU countries that have made it clear they don't want to deal with Russia because it'll all be in the hands of our good NATO partners in Turkey.

[elhombrelibre]

Yes, very cold in Europe; it's 51 degrees Fahrenheit in Germany.

[elhombrelibre]

51 where I am, how cold is it in your area?

[elhombrelibre]

No, it’s not even that cold in Europe. This is just Putin’s fan club getting gleeful as he makes another huge mistake.

[Grzegorz 246]

LOL !

[elhombrelibre]

It's 48 degrees Fahrenheit in London. I believe the Putinista platoon is getting giddy too soon.

[Paul R.]

Hmmm... If I read the article (and others) correctly, that link under the Black Sea doesn’t exist yet.

[Star Traveler]

Quote from the article ...

“The UK is suffering one of its coldest nights this century with temperatures plunging to as low as -10C.”

[Star Traveler]

There are some “details” Russia doesn’t care about ... at the moment ... :-) ...

[grania]

So, Russia didn't cut off gas to Europe, it cut off gas through Ukraine. Why wouldn't they? Countries that still want to get the gas can individually break the EU sanctions, I'd think.

Declaring economic war (which sanctions are) has consequences.

Flame away, Kievinistas!

[clearcarbon]

"No, it’s not even that cold in Europe. This is just Putin’s fan club getting gleeful as he makes another huge mistake."

America has had a policy for a long time not to use food as a weapon. Russia has done exactly that except with energy, and it's not the first time. Seems to me that Russia imported a lot of US grain back in the days when the USSR was collapsing. Perhaps they've forgotten their own vulnerability.

[Berlin_Freeper]

It is very difficult to have a unified Europe in the best of times. Hollande (our friends the French) had already called for sanctions to be lifted.

However I do see it as something that will strengthen the resolve against Putin.

This will only help Putin politically in Russia as he will seem to be strong. But that will only last so long until the economy totally collapses.

Stay tuned my FRiend.

[Berlin_Freeper]

I have no heat and no shirt.

Some birds already returned.

[Bobalu]

The likeliest outcome of this is that the US ends up paying off the Ukrainian back oil debts and guarantees to pay for any and all oil siphoned off by Ukraine from now on. [Taxpayers take it in the shorts again]

In addition, the sanctions will probably all be lifted.

If the above does not occur then war is very possible. Any shooting war between Russia and any western power has a large probability of going nuclear. IMO it would start in Syria, not in Europe. It would start if Obama makes the foolish move of attempting a no-fly zone in Syria in retaliation against Putin for cutting off the gas. Our current leadership is very poorly skilled at brinksmanship. Given our leadership we should all pray that Putin gets payed off with our tax monies.... that’s far better than going into a major world war with Obozo at the helm...shudder

Watch for any such moves.

These problems have all been caused by evil oligarchs and national leaders who care very little about honor and what is right. And I include our leadership in that statement.

[outofsalt]

"At this point, what difference does it make"?

Ready for Hillary!