Another Russian Energy Deal With Europe Adds To Western Worries About Potential Oil Weapon

Source: Associated Press

MOSCOW - Russia expanded its growing European energy empire Friday, signing two more deals in a drive that is raising fears Moscow could use its vast oil and gas resources to meddle in the affairs of its neighbors.

Russia already supplies a quarter of Europe’s natural gas and oil needs, and some Western leaders worry the growing dependence is giving the Kremlin a powerful geopolitical weapon.

Announcing the signing of two agreements with Serbia, Russian officials said the deal would make the poor Balkan nation an important hub for the distribution of Russian gas.

Moscow has been rushing to build or acquire European pipelines, storage facilities, ports and energy companies. But Russian government and corporate officials say the expansion is strictly a commercial effort that benefits both sides and ensures Europe gets the energy it needs.

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Skeptics in Washington and some European capitals say Russia has already used its energy clout as a coercive tool of diplomacy. The U.S. has led an effort to limit its inroads — in part by planning new energy pipelines that would bypass Russian territory. But there are doubts the alternative pipelines will ever be built, and many analysts say the European Union’s quest for energy independence has fizzled.



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that the people in control of this country are ignoring and will ignore. They would rather wring the last petrol nickel out of this country than position us for the next phase of Life on Earth and chance loosing a nickel. On the other hand this may be simpley the setup for the next SHOCK (re: The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein) http://www.buzzflash.com/store/refer/1dh0e7/items/757/