Europe's plan to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels by 2027 has a major flaw
Business InsiderAPR 2 2023
Russia's Gazprom Cuts Gas Deliveries to Austria
Above: A view of the Gas Connect Austria natural gas distribution hub stand at Baumgarten an der March on Nov. 16, 2024 near Vienna, Austria. Image copyright: Christian Bruna/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
One of the last countries in Europe still to rely on cheap pipeline-delivered gas from Russia, Austria has decided to bow to EU pressure and destroy its decades-long relationship with Gazprom. Now, its people will have to pay higher prices to get access to energy as winter approaches. This is what bad policy looks like.
Pro-establishment narrative
It's dead clear that the Kremlin has cut gas supplies to try to blackmail Austria over its support for Ukraine against Russia's war of aggression. Given that Vienna has secured enough gas in storage for this winter, as well as supply of alternative fuel, Austrians may rest assured that this move will backfire.