Gazprom’s actions reveal Russia’s weakness

As I packed my suitcase to travel to Kiev for the New Year I heard on the radio the ominous words, “The era of cheap gas is over” – they were uttered by Vladimir Putin, the Russian autocrat currently styling himself as “Prime Minister.” Gazprom, Russia’s gas monopoly, had promised to cut off supplies to Ukraine – if Ukraine did not agree, in a year where its GDP had fallen 14 per cent, to a significant price rise, at a time when gas prices are falling.

Last time this happened, Ukraine had to cave in – but this time even that country’s famously bickering politicians had worked out how to stop Russia’s blackmail – store enough gas to last the winter, and negotiate later, when Gazprom has more need for money, and Ukraine less for gas. Slovakia wasn’t so wise – it as now been totally cut off and a state of emergency has been declared.