Russia Becoming ‘Frighteningly Arrogant’ Over Oil

The latest energy spat between Russia and one of its former Soviet neighbors has cut off oil supplies to western Europe and led to fresh concerns over the west’s dependence on Russian oil. It highlights how ruthless and arrogant Russia has become with its energy policy, and forces Europe to step up its search for alternative supplies, say German media commentators.

Europe is fretting over its energy supplies following Russia’s decision on Monday to halt oil exports to western Europe because of a pipeline dispute with Belarus.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has indicated that Germany may rethink its plan to phase out nuclear power generation. Media commentators in Germany are furious with Russia.

Business daily Financial Times Deutschland writes:

“The Kremlin has implemented a package of measures that is likely to push the Belarusian economy to the brink of collapse. The country’s scarcely reformed industry is highly dependent on the drip of what had to date been cheap Russian energy supplies.

Spiegel