Russia Snubs U.S., Redirects Gas Flow to Europe

A plan to give Europe access to a substantial amount of natural gas from the giant Shtokman field originally earmarked for the U.S. market is a direct consequence of U.S. policy toward Russia on WTO membership and sanctions on Russian defense exports, Russian newspapers reported on Monday, Sept. 25.

The apparent change of thinking on Shtokman, which is located in the Barents Sea is linked specifically to recently introduced U.S. sanctions on arms export agency Rosoboronexport and on aircraft maker Sukhoi, as well as U.S. refusal to support Russia