Should we fear Kremlin control of Europe’s energy supply?

Should Europe be wary of Gazprom?

Yes, the company has form. In January this year it cut off supplies to Ukraine. Ostensibly, the dispute was over the price being paid by the Ukrainians for their gas, but most observers saw it as a politically-motivated act to punish Ukraine’s citizens for voting in a government which was not well-disposed towards the Kremlin. Gazprom’s actions had a knock-on effect on some western European countries as Ukraine serves as a conduit for their Russian gas supplies.

independent