Russia Is Hoping to Freeze Ukraine Into Submission

Critical gas shortage and bitter winter cause former Soviet Republic to turn to Mother Russia for warmth

During the heady days of the Soviet economy, Ukraine consumed 120 billion cubic meters of natural gas yearly. Back then, the Ukrainian economy, although clumsy and energy ineffective, was in some industries on par with Germany’s.


A quarter-century later, Ukraine needs a quarter as much natural gas—about 30 billion cubic meters a year—and not because her economy stopped being energy inefficient, but because its industrial potential is all but destroyed.

The bitter reality is that Ukraine can produce only around 18 billion cubic meters of natural gas on its territory—the rest is imported.

source : observer