DISINFO: Europeans will not be warmed by the "hot breath" of Russophobic politicians
SUMMARY
The German foreign minister wants her people to freeze because Ukrainians are more important than Germans or anybody else. Politicians promoting anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian rhetoric prove that the well-being of the people of another country is more important than the citizens of their own countries. The latter argument is supported by the claim that EU citizens are facing cold, darkness and the destruction of their economy and those in power won't be able to warm the cold European bodies with their "hot breath".
RESPONSE
The article utilizes a popular pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, claiming that the energy crisis in Europe (and Germany in particular) was caused by the US and the EU themselves. This narrative is deployed in tandem with Russia’s claims that the European Union will inevitably disintegrate. In reality, the Kremlin is attempting to extort EU governments and create widespread public panic over energy cost and insecurity.
There is no evidence to support the claim that the German government is deliberately neglecting the energy security of its citizens. In fact, EU member states have undertaken multiple counter-measures in order to increase EU security of energy supply, such as the "Save gas for a safe winter" plan which consists of voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15%. The European Council regulation also foresees the possibility to trigger a global EU alert on security of energy resources, which will result in the gas demand reduction becoming mandatory. The purpose of the latter is to make savings ahead of winter in order to prepare for possible disruptions of gas supplies from Russia – something the Kremlin is continuously utilising as a tool for blackmailing the West.
Some countries have alternative supply options. Even though the global gas market was negatively influenced by Russia’s actions even before the invasion, Europe’s gas network infrastructure is well developed, meaning energy supplies can be shared to countries in dire need this winter as an act of solidarity. Despite the recent cut of Russian gas flows via the Nord Stream I pipeline, the EU is ready for the winter ahead. During recent discussions between EU Energy Ministers it became clear that EU underground gas storаges have been filled by 82.5% of their capacity, well ahead of the 1 November deadline set for achieving the 80% goal. As such, the EU has taken concrete actions to prepare for further disruptions to energy supply from Russia in the coming winter.
More cases concerning European energy issues include: Germany doesn’t want energy solidarity but vassalage; Sofia will have to buy Russian gas in rubbles; Without Russian gas, Europe will slide into the Middle Ages.