Germany to be the distribution hub for Russian gas

Ugly politics and barely disguised national self-interest run all through this story in the FT about Germany’s support for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Russian project will bypass Ukraine (which is being punished by Russia for moving its political alliances westwards) and will make Germany the distribution hub for Russian gas. It will make Germany’s gas supplies cheaper and so Germany is all over this project; others in the EU see this as a threat to EU unity on its energy policy.

German industry is rightly worried about energy costs and may be content to hold its nose and accept dependence on Russian gas to guarantee supply; where this leaves Europe in the longer term is uncertain.  Perhaps someone to ask the Ukrainian people about their experience.

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