Russian bear flexes his energy muscles - threat to Poland?

I see Russia has stopped the gas supply throught Belarus which supplies other western nations as well as Poland.

How big a threat to the stability of the EE countries is this action? He has already humiliated the Ukraine...who is next?

I've heard Poland can live on it's own (stored) gas for only.. 30 days? It doesn't sound good.

Frank - Spot on for mentioning this. This is the real threat to Poland and its growing economy.
Any probs for Russia and Putin and Gazprom just turn off the Gas.

EDIT: Oops, my first para was in response to the posts above which have obviously been deleted!!!!!

Not even the US would dream of taking on Russia - that's what the cold war was all about!

As for Russia's action with the gas, I guess the EU (as Russia is part of it now) will try and do something to sanction Russia's actions over time but when you start talking about one of the major driving forces of the developed world (gas etc) - time is something we don't have. Sure it will affect the rest of the EU - and as a knock on consequence will affect the economic stability of gas prices globally. You mark my words, something bad will come of it, eventually!!!!

well lets go back to the topic , shall we?


Very big cuz many of this countrys "Adicted" to cheap russian gas/oil, the EE dont know how to handle this situation, they try to look that they are united . But are they?


Everybody knows it will be Poland its just matter of time, putin have alredy banned polish food/meat to get into the russian market.

I'm watching this space... I don't think so, it will resolve itself, once money or concessions are mentioned, poland has 80 days of gas reserves...come on no scare mongering, leave that for something else!

Yes...am very wary of Russia.....it has its own set of unique values....its the only country in the world which would willingly sacrifice ALL its people to meet its own political ends......

The EE must be on its guard...............tough times could lie ahead.

A good start is to show russia that they are standing by Poland in any means, then russia will think before they act.

David...apols EE= Eastern Europe, not EU; yes Poland is part of EU...theoretically what you do to Poland you do to the EU..one bloc.

Cant help it but yaaaaaawn at this thread :).

Srry i thought that you meant that EE=Eu srry my fault:).
One more thing Poland is a part of Central Europe.

Its late for you ola...had another tiring day?

The European Commission had better forget about its illusions. As far as the gas is concerned, they will have to deal with the Russian state," "Novaya gazeta" quoted him ( Putin )as saying in October 2003.

A 1997 presidential resolution barred foreign-controlled firms from owning Gazprom shares traded on Russian exchanges.
Gazprom own around 50% of shares in the major Gas suppliers in Poland, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, and Bulgaria. Around 40% in Germany.
You dont need to be an expert to figure out Russian strategy.

All Russia wants from Belarus is to pay half (!) the price Poland and other EU countries pay, Belarus wants 1/4 like It used to be.

I hope so Lef - I really do! I'm not scaremongering, just stating historical fact. Global bullies get their come-uppance eventually!

Quite yes but this thread tired and bored me more :). After all if our goverment wont fix it you will wake up with 36 m Poles in your country :).

JUST KIDDING.

(I hope) :)

True. We should take over that funny little country.

Aw...so why read it....you aint contributing.....are you........?

I don't mind were the EE people go....I can live virtually anywhere....so don't worry on my behalf...:)


Yes...but Belarus is quite poor....there half is very very expensive compared to the older EU states.

So ? Are Spanish going to sell us vacations in their country for 1/4 the price, because we are poorer ? Putin is definately not a "good guy", but it doesn't mean that Russia is always wrong.

Well...they aint been right about much in the last 200 odd years....how many favours did they do Poland.....!!!??

Its only their way of exercising political muscle....by economic means......showing whose boss to the small former satellite states...just a bully really......

They will pay more, problem will be solved in a one week time. Triple yawn :).

Ola...go to bed...this serious thread has really taken it out of you..........have you collapsed yet?....

Plus do you read tea cups or palms?

I have no idea what are you talking about here but oh well I will take your advice anyway and off to bed.

Yawny yawn and nite :).

True, but still doesn't mean that they are always wrong.


Sometimes they do, like in Ukraine, but they simply have a right to demand equel prices from all buyers of their gas and oil... and Belarus is a stalinistic dictatorship...

I hope the polish government doesn't ask General Bush for help in this matter (returning a favour for sending polish troops to Iraq) we might have another iraq in Russia, this time for Gas.

brilliant... loads of cheap empty property...

I have to say superb, English will go to Poland, Polish will move to Isles, we will just change our places. I wont say no :).

Really now bed bed and is it a dream?

I really find it quite difficult to understand how a country like Russia gets on in the world since all they seem to do is threaten people...surely there will come a time when they need an ali??

Yeah, a possible country that springs to mind would be N. Korea!!!!!

This should be a wake up call for more nuclear energy in Europe. Hope the Germans get over with their hippy luftkraft fixations....