Settling for Makeshift Arrangements on Russian Gas

An extract from some of Anne Applebaum’s pipe dreams…

Instead of sending their best and brightest to create a genuinely secure system — through expanded use of liquid natural gas, more nuclear plants, clean coal — most European countries have settled for makeshift arrangements. Instead of using their collective bargaining power, they behave as though they are dependent on Gazprom, when the reverse is equally true: The Russians need the money they get from European sales, after all, almost as much as the Europeans need their gas. Instead of sending in crisis negotiators every Jan. 1, Europe’s leaders could focus on this problem and solve it. I would love to describe this past week’s events as a “wake-up call,” but there have been so many “wake-up calls” already. When will Europe heed them?