EU Reaches Deal to Ration Gas Amid Russian Cut-Off Fears
SnopesDec 27, 2022
Day 153 Roundup: Gazprom to Further Cut European Gas Supplies; Russia Indicates Intention to Overthrow Zelenskyy
Image copyright: AP Photos [via AP News]
The Facts
Russia's state-controlled energy giant Gazprom has announced it will be cutting delivery of gas via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Europe to 33M cubic metres a day – roughly 20% of its total capacity – effective Wednesday.
The company cited technical problems with one of the engines, but Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of waging a "gas war." He said: "All this is done by Russia on purpose to make it as difficult as possible for Europeans to prepare for winter. And this is an open gas war that Russia is waging against a united Europe."
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
The West must cut trade with and energy dependence on Moscow to limit Russian revenues in this escalating economic war. The Kremlin is making a myriad of excuses for their agressive actions and the decision to wage a "gas war" demands further sanctions.
Pro-Russia narrative
It's hypocritical to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but not on the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons, or on Israel for invading and annexing Arab lands.