Gazprom, the Russian gas monopolist, has stopped gas supplies to Austria.
A company from Moscow must compensate the Austrian company OMV 230 million euros after an international arbitration decision. But she refused to do it. Therefore, Vienna suspended payments to Gazprom for the purpose of compensation.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said the supply disruption was expected, so Austria had found alternative sources of fuel and its storage facilities were now 93% full, enough to last through the winter.
The President of the European Commission also reacted. She said the EU has gas reserves and is ready for winter.
Once again Putin is using energy as weapon.
I am here to fulfill blackmail Austria & Europe upon request for gas supplies.
We are ready for this and ready for winter. Gas storage across the EU is full.
As I told 🌸 yesterday Europe stands united in supporting Austria
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 16, 2024
Austria still remained the largest importer of Russian gas through pipelines in the European Union. Among the EU countries, neighboring Slovakia and Hungary also continue to buy Russian pipeline gas. Austria and Slovakia receive gas through an old pipeline passing through the territory of Ukraine.
However, Kyiv has clearly stated that it does not intend to renew the transit contract with the Russian side, which expires at the end of the year. Hungary now receives most of its gas through the TurkStream pipeline, which runs through Turkey and the Balkan countries.
Source: Racurs
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