With the outbreak of war, the call for energy independence became louder. At the same time, Austrian gas imports from Russia have increased again, now to almost 80 percent.
“Austria depends on the Russian gas pipeline,” says Herbert Lechner, former head of the scientific association Energy Agency Austria, somewhat exaggeratedly. According to the expert, Russia has historically sought to make Austria dependent on its natural gas from the very beginning. Archival documents would also prove this – in addition to the recent, publicly celebrated acts of friendship between Austria and Russia.
Since taking office in 2000, Vladimir Putin has received no fewer than six ceremonial receptions. Most recently in 2018 – at the time in the annex of the delegation: Gazprom boss Alexej Miller. In the same year, the head of the Kremlin also waved his leg as a “surprise guest” at the wedding of ex-Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl in the Styrian vineyards.
71 percent of all imports from Russia
In any case, the current figures speak plain language: even if Russian supplies have fallen over the past year, an estimated 71 percent of all Austrian gas imports came from Russia in December (as the “Krone” reported).
After the turn of the year, the numbers continued to rise – deadly warmonger or not: according to this report, in February 80 percent of the gas bought by Austria was of Russian origin. Former OMV boss Gerhard Roiss also sees no end to the poison gas relationship. During his tenure between 2011 and 2015, he wanted to reduce dependence on Gazprom to 30 percent. He then failed miserably.
Instead, the gas contract was extended to 2040 in 2018, four years after the illegal occupation of Crimea.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
