Even at the height of the cold war the natural gas pipelines built by the Soviet Union in the 1980s were a reliable source of energy for Europe. Cutting off the gas to millions of Europeans is unprecedented.
Even in the last so called “gas war” between Russia and Ukraine three years ago things did not get this bad. The two sides came together and the dispute was resolved before any major impact on European gas supply has happened. But at the time the vulnerability of the European energy supply network was exposed and it’s that same vulnerability that is at the heart of the crisis now.
The problem is that Europe is very dependant on the flow of Russian gas. Vast gas pipeline network spreads over few former Soviet states and among them is of-course Ukraine trough which 80% of the gas flaws. There are sources and routes planned but they are expensive and years away.
Every year Ukraine negotiates fresh terms how much Ukraine should pay Russia for gas and how much Russia should pay Ukraine for transit.
This year there was a deadlock and the flaw of gas trough Ukraine was stopped. Russia reportedly accused Ukraine of stealing transit gas meant for Europe and closed those pipes. Ukraine denies any wrongdoing.
There are many speculations what is going on:
One theory is that Russia is running out of gas and is trying to stage the cut off to hide it.
Another theory is that the Gas Prom, Russian gas monopoly, is trying to wrestle controls of the pipelines away from Ukraine.
But there is a third theory as well which has been most widely spoken of, that this whole crisis is political, designed by the Kremlin to punish Ukraine for it’s pro western orientation.
Officials at Gas Prom insist that they are motivated by money.

Who knows?

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