Silicon Curtain

Silicon Bites #73 - Russia's Ability to use Energy as a Cynical Weapon of Blackmail just got Reduced


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Edition No73 | 04-01-2025 - Is the stopping of gas transit via Ukraine

'One of Moscow's biggest defeats'? That is what Zelensky is claiming,
as Ukraine terminated Russian natural gas transit on 1st Jan. 2025. Kyiv
has repeatedly warned it would not extend the agreement to allow
Russian natural gas to transit through its territory to Europe, and
indeed the expiry of that agreement was a natural point for Ukraine to
make good on its threats. It’s remarkable in fact that this gas transit
has continues for 3 years of the full-scale war, given how important gas
has been in the financing of Russia's war.
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"When Putin was handed power in Russia over 25 years ago, the annual gas
pumping through Ukraine to Europe stood at over 130 billion cubic
meters. Today, the transit of Russian gas is 0. This is one of Moscow's
biggest defeats," Zelensky said.
"Turning energy into a weapon and cynical energy blackmail of partners
is what deprived Russia of its most attractive and geographically
accessible market." Zelensky has suggested that three years is a long
enough period for European countries to adapt to the termination of
Russian gas supplies. For some countries it’s been easier than others,
and some have been more proactive in weaning themselves off Russia gas.
Zelensky also suggested that having a greater diversity of suppliers and
partners could increase competition in the market and help to drive
down prices. "The more gas from Europe's true partners is available on
the market, the sooner the last negative consequences of European energy
dependence on Russia will be overcome," Zelensky said. With a degree of
sarcasm, he added “it will be necessary to withstand the hysteria of
some European politicians who prefer mafia schemes with Moscow to
transparent energy policy."
Two examples of leaders that prefer to maintain so-called ‘mafia
relations’ with Russia, are Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister,
and Slovak counterpart Robert Fico. As the most vocal opponents of
Ukraine's decision to stop Russian gas transit, they have also shown a
willingness to also pay homage at the court of the killer Tsar in the
Kremlin, despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine and are the main promoters
of pro-Russian narratives in Europe.
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NEWS SOURCES:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/01/breakaway-moldovan-region-cuts-heating-and-hot-water-as-russia-stops-gas-flow
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-gas-pipeline-ukraine-gazprom-b2673631.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/02/moldovan-region-transnistria-shuts-down-its-industries-after-loss-of-russian-gas
https://kyivindependent.com/slovak-state-energy-company-to-continue-to-supply-electricity-to-ukraine-despite-ficos-threats/
https://kyivindependent.com/one-of-moscows-biggest-defeats-zelensky-on-stopping-russian-gas-transit-via-ukraine/
https://kyivindependent.com/transnistria-rejects-offer-to-buy-gas-from-europe-expects-russia-to-resume-supplies/
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https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
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Silicon CurtainBy Jonathan Fink

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