Policy & Regulation

When gas falls victim to politics

Gas has earned an unfortunate reputation as a political weapon following the dispute between Russia and Ukraine Gas has earned an unfortunate reputation as a political weapon following the dispute between Russia and Ukraine.

By The Wildcat 23 March 2018 Europe & Russia / Policy & Regulation 0 30133

Personnel in hazmat suits investigating the Salisbury poisoning. (PA)

The latest rift between Moscow and London following the poisoning of a Russian double agent in Salisbury has refocused the debate around Europe’s reliance on its gas and offered a reminder of the fuel’s status as a heavily politicised commodity.

Prime Minister Theresa May said last Wednesday that the UK is “indeed looking to other countries” in response to a question about LNG shipments from Russia – not that the UK imports much Russian gas. However, the country imports plenty of coal from Russia and other...