VOA Russian: Collapse of Kremlin's strategy of gas blackmail against Europe
Voice of America
FILE - A worker adjusts a valve at a Ukrainian gas station in Volovets, western Ukraine, Oct. 7, 2015.
A major natural gas pipeline supplying Russian energy to Europe ran dry Wednesday after Ukraine stopped Moscow’s six-decade supply in the hopes of hurting Russia financially. The planned move marks the end of an era in which many European countries kept warm using gas pumped by Russia. Ukraine is losing up to $1 billion a year in transit fees it charged Russia to use its pipeline. That’s less than the $5 billion Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy giant, is set to lose annually in gas sales. VOA correspondent Victor Vasilyev talked to regional experts about these topics.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives as he goes on trial over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Jan. 6, 2025 in Paris. FILE - French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, greets Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi upon his arrival at the Elysee Palace, Dec. 10, 2007 in Paris. Thierry Gaubert, left, a former close adviser to former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at the courtroom as Sarkozy goes on trial over alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign, Jan. 6, 2025 in Paris.