Moscow: Russia delivered a severe jolt to Finland for its announcement to join NATO. Russian government gas company GAZPROM has stopped fuel gas supplies to Finland. Finland shared this information and Russia has confirmed the news. Russia informed that Finland had failed to pay the past outstanding and therefore the actions were taken. As per the new Russian rules, all the customer countries will have to pay the fuel bills in Russian Roubles. Like the other European countries, Finland had refused to accept the Russian condition.
Sweden and Finland, the countries under Russian influence, plan to join NATO. President Putin had pointed out to Finland that there would be dire consequences of this decision. Ignoring the warning, Finland took the initiative to join NATO. Russia seems to have stopped the fuel gas supply after this. Finland refused to pay the past outstanding bills for fuel through systems linked to the Russian Roubles as demanded by Russia. Russian GAZPROM said that therefore, fuel gas could not be supplied to Finland.
In 2020, Russia supplied 1.61 million cubic metres of fuel gas to Finland, whereas in 2021, it rose to nearly 1,80 million cubic metres. Therefore, Finland is apparently dependent on Russia for fuel gas to a great extent. Despite this, Finland exhibited the courage to antagonise Russia and decided to join NATO. 
The President of Finland ignored the warning issued by the Russian President that this will have dire consequences.
The European countries dependent on Russia for fuels are exploring alternatives. But the European countries are not able to achieve much success on this front. The Gulf countries have expressed their inability saying they cannot provide an alternative to the Russian fuels. Russia has already threatened that if the European countries stopped buying fuel from Russia, the volumes would be diverted to the Asian region. The United States and NATO are accusing Russia is using fuel as a weapon.
Related posts:
Russia steps up military deployment in Baltics
Russian ‘Trefoil military base’ in Arctic operational, ‘Air Defence Shield’ and establishment of an Independent Brigade progressing fast
99 percent of Russian ballistic missiles on ‘alert’, warns Russian Defence Minister
Russia wants united and prosperous Europe, says Russian President Vladimir Putin
Germany and France should cooperate with Russia to build Syria instead of the US
US warship reaches Romania amid rising tension between Russia and Ukraine
Amid Russia’s all-time high bullion purchase, gold and forex reserves hit a record high
US Secretary of State Pompeo reaches Europe to discuss Iran issue; cancels Moscow visit
