Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by HMH 1627 days ago
> Putin is testing Germany's new government and the EU leadership.

To me the current situation seems more self-inflicted than driven by Russia. Also it looks like Gazprom is fulfilling its contract with Poland [1]. If my assessment is inaccurate please point me to some material for reading.

[1]: https://www.reuters.com/article/power-prices-russia-gas-pgni...
1 comments
LatteLazy 1627 days ago
Isn't the issue here that they're declining to sell extra? And energy companies normally contract for about half their customers need and buy the rest on the spot or near spot market?
link
rad_gruchalski 1626 days ago
Why would they sell extra when Germany is selling Russian gas to Poland and Ukraine and turning a profit? I have the same source as this comment from this discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29730855
link
LatteLazy 1626 days ago
Well I'm not saying they have to sell any at all. But if they don't they're responsible for higher prices and shortages etc.

Also, the rules are pretty clear. You can't sell to Germany you can only sell to the whole EU or not. If you decide not to then why not say so and admit you're causing shortages and price spikes? Isn't that the whole point of this sort of diplomacy?

link
rad_gruchalski 1626 days ago
> You can't sell to Germany you can only sell to the whole EU or not.

That’s not how it works. Each country has its own contracts. Italian Eni has gas contracts with Gazprom, Hungarian MVM CEEnergy has separate contracts, Poland has individual contracts, Germany has their own. Gazprom delivers to 25 European countries.

link
emteycz 1626 days ago
No, the ones who created this failed strategy are responsible.
link
LatteLazy 1626 days ago
Which strategy? The Russian refusal to sell or the European reliance? A big part of European reliance dates back to Obama refusing to sell LNG from fracking.

Again, countries have a right to (not) sell their gas as they see fit. I'm just saying this is all pretty muddy. It's more complex than good guy vs bad guy.

link
emteycz 1626 days ago
The European reliance of course. Expecting a KGB agent turned warlord to sell key resource for a good price forever without any strings attached is just crazy.

If there's no good [local] source of gas, using gas is not a good idea.

link