Silicon Bites #73 - Russia's Ability to use Energy as a Cynical Weapon of Blackmail just got Reduced

Edition No73 | 04-01-2025 - Is the stopping of gas transit via Ukraine 'One of Moscow's biggest defeats'? That is what Zelensky is claiming, as Ukraine terminated Russian natural gas transit on 1st Jan. 2025. Kyiv has repeatedly warned it would not extend the agreement to allow Russian natural gas to transit through its territory to Europe, and indeed the expiry of that agreement was a natural point for Ukraine to make good on its threats. It’s remarkable in fact that this gas transit has continues for 3 years of the full-scale war, given how important gas has been in the financing of Russia's war. ---------- SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISER A project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's frontline towns. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras ---------- Trucks under Christmas Tree https://donorbox.org/trucks-under-christmas-tree/fundraiser/silicon-curtain The Goal of the Campaign for Silicon Curtain: € 10,000 to purchase 1 truck to save Ukrainian lives. ---------- "When Putin was handed power in Russia over 25 years ago, the annual gas pumping through Ukraine to Europe stood at over 130 billion cubic meters. Today, the transit of Russian gas is 0. This is one of Moscow's biggest defeats," Zelensky said. "Turning energy into a weapon and cynical energy blackmail of partners is what deprived Russia of its most attractive and geographically accessible market." Zelensky has suggested that three years is a long enough period for European countries to adapt to the termination of Russian gas supplies. For some countries it’s been easier than others, and some have been more proactive in weaning themselves off Russia gas. Zelensky also suggested that having a greater diversity of suppliers and partners could increase competition in the market and help to drive down prices. "The more gas from Europe's true partners is available on the market, the sooner the last negative consequences of European energy dependence on Russia will be overcome," Zelensky said. With a degree of sarcasm, he added “it will be necessary to withstand the hysteria of some European politicians who prefer mafia schemes with Moscow to transparent energy policy." Two examples of leaders that prefer to maintain so-called ‘mafia relations’ with Russia, are Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister, and Slovak counterpart Robert Fico. As the most vocal opponents of Ukraine's decision to stop Russian gas transit, they have also shown a willingness to also pay homage at the court of the killer Tsar in the Kremlin, despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine and are the main promoters of pro-Russian narratives in Europe. ---------- NEWS SOURCES: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/01/breakaway-moldovan-region-cuts-heating-and-hot-water-as-russia-stops-gas-flow https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-gas-pipeline-ukraine-gazprom-b2673631.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/02/moldovan-region-transnistria-shuts-down-its-industries-after-loss-of-russian-gas https://kyivindependent.com/slovak-state-energy-company-to-continue-to-supply-electricity-to-ukraine-despite-ficos-threats/ https://kyivindependent.com/one-of-moscows-biggest-defeats-zelensky-on-stopping-russian-gas-transit-via-ukraine/ https://kyivindependent.com/transnistria-rejects-offer-to-buy-gas-from-europe-expects-russia-to-resume-supplies/ ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ----------