Russia close to using natural gas as weapon in Europe's gas crunch - Biden energy adviser

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's global energy security adviser said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is getting close to using natural gas as a political tool if Russia is holding back fuel exports to Europe as it suffers an energy crunch.

"I think we are getting close to that line if Russia indeed has the gas to supply and it chooses not to, and it will only do so if Europe accedes to other demands that are completely unrelated," Amos Hochstein, Biden's adviser, told reporters, when asked if Putin was using gas as a weapon.

Hochstein said gas prices in Europe have been driven higher not just by events in the region but also by a dry season in China that has reduced energy output from hydropower and increased global competition for natural gas.

Still, while several factors have led to the European gas crisis, Russia is best placed to come to the aid of Europe, he said.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/russia-close-using-natural-gas-143812898.html

Gangster with a gas station.

[Walleye]

1. Another advantage of renewable energy. Not controlled by criminals and gangsters

They can’t withhold the wind and the sun to extort their political demands

[OnDoutside]

2. As a European, I have to say Hochstein is 100% right. The EU had

made a massive mistake in having dealings with Russia. Ironically Trump hammered the EU over Nordstream 2, but that was to get the EU to buy tracked gas from the US.

[Midnight Writer]

3. "No one could have possibly anticipated that (fill in blank) would use (fill in blank) as a weapon"