Russia Threatens Immediate Halt to Gas Supplies to the European Union

Russia's rhetoric towards the West has sharply intensified in the face of the approaching EU embargo on energy resources. Vladimir Putin declared readiness for a preemptive move in the form of an immediate cutoff of natural gas flow to Europe. This scenario, referred to by the Kremlin as „right now, immediately”, aims to deepen the energy crisis and exert political pressure on countries most dependent on Russian blue fuel, such as France or Spain. Experts point out that Moscow is seeking to maximally destabilize the market before the next packages of sanctions come into effect. The situation was exacerbated by the sinking of a Russian tanker near the coast of Libya, which Russia interprets as a Ukrainian terrorist attack. Although Kyiv has not officially confirmed its role in this specific incident, reports of successes by Ukrainian naval drones and the destabilization of the Russian fleet are becoming increasingly frequent. Friendly fire and Russians shooting down their own aircraft complete the picture of chaos within the aggressor's ranks. Meanwhile, brutal attacks on civilian infrastructure continue on land – Russian drones killed more residents of Kherson, and Odesa once again came under missile fire, where children were injured. For decades, Russia has used energy exports as an element of hybrid warfare, exemplified by the drastic reduction of supplies via the Yamal pipeline as early as 2021. In the diplomatic sphere, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed that trilateral talks involving the USA and Russia will only resume when the security situation allows it. The Ukrainian leader also offered support to Gulf states in repelling drone attacks, on the condition of receiving specific military aid from them. It is noted that Washington is keenly interested in Ukrainian experience in countering Iranian drone technology. Simultaneously, frustration is growing within Europe over Hungary's stance, which continues to block EU funds intended for rearming Ukraine, meeting with increasingly sharp criticism from other community members. „Wir erwägen jetzt den sofortigen Stopp der Gaslieferungen nach Europa, bevor deren eigene Embargos in Kraft treten.” (We are now considering the immediate stop of gas deliveries to Europe, before their own embargoes come into force.) — Vladimir Putin „Les négociations ne se poursuivront que lorsque le contexte sécuritaire le permettra.” (Negotiations will only continue when the security context allows it.) — Volodymyr Zelenskyy