Energy under spotlight amid West's stand-off with Russia
Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels
Never has it been so costly for EU citizens to heat their homes, use electricity or drive their vehicles. Some 40% of the 27-nation bloc's energy supply requirements are imported from Russia.
So, is Moscow to blame for the EU's current energy crisis? Not according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in the European Parliament last October. However, last Monday, it was claimed Russia has cut gas to the EU and citizens were told plans are in train to offset further suffering.
The fact is, Russia has fulfilled all of its EU gas supply contracts. We've raised this issue with the European Commission. Political commentators claim the EU's negative Russia strategy is entirely being driven by the US.
Since 2014, €17bn of EU taxpayers' money has been sent to Ukraine. This, despite the European Court of Auditors declaring, last September, that corruption is rife in the country. On the issue of gas, of course Russia could increase supplies to the EU but what incentive does it have to do so in the current climate, observers ask.
Russia has the largest natural gas reserves in the world followed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Analysts say the EU's access to these markets is being hampered due to influence from the United States, and ultimately it is ordinary citizens who are paying the price.
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