Russia’s decision to cut gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria represents a significant escalation in Moscow’s confrontation with the West over Ukraine, one that could have far-reaching consequences for how European leaders respond to the conflict in the months to come.
Moscow’s official explanation for cutting supplies is that the two countries refused to comply with Russia’s demand that future payments be made in roubles. While that is to an extent true, the Kremlin's real motivation behind the decision appears to be to punish Warsaw and Sofia for the support they are providing to Ukraine.
Poland, in particular, has become a linchpin for western efforts to provide Kyiv with military and humanitarian support, as well as being a major transit point for the millions of refugees seeking to flee the conflict. Bulgaria has also taken a strong stand, offering to send some of its Soviet-era MiG-29 warplanes to support Ukraine’s war effort.
The prospects of a diplomatic resolution to the conflict have become more distant by the day
It can be no coincidence, then, that Moscow’s decision to cut gas supplies took place in the same week that the two countries expanded sanctions against Russia, with Poland including the state-owned energy company Gazprom on a new list of economic sanctions against 50 businesses and oligarchs.
Russia’s action, which resulted in a slight rise in global gas prices, has prompted widespread international condemnation.
In his nightly address this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of launching a “new round” of “blackmail” against Europe, claiming that Moscow considered energy exports and trade to be “weapons” with which to pursue its military and political aims. “The sooner everyone in Europe acknowledges that its trade can’t depend on Russia, the sooner it will be possible to guarantee the stability of European markets,” he said.
Mr Zelenskyy’s sentiments were echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who described Russia's action as "an instrument of blackmail" and called it "unjustified and unacceptable". She added: "It shows once again the unreliability of Russia as a gas supplier."
Moscow’s action will certainly have concentrated the minds of European leaders, many of whom have historically relied heavily on Russia for their energy needs. Even after invading Ukraine, Moscow has continued to supply a large amount of gas to many countries, with Germany and Italy among the EU member states most dependent on it. Russia currently accounts for an estimated 41 per cent of the EU’s natural gas imports, with Germany being its largest customer, as it receives 42.6 billion cubic metres of gas each year. Italy receives 29.2bn cubic metres.
The threat of disruption to Europe’s energy supplies has been growing since the start of the conflict in February, when western powers imposed a range of economic sanctions against Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by announcing that “unfriendly” countries would in future have to pay for gas in roubles.
Mrs Von der Leyen has warned European energy providers against complying with Russian demands, saying that this would most likely be a breach of EU sanctions. Yet, Russia's latest move represents a serious intensification in tensions, one that will require European leaders to consider their options on a number of fronts.
First and foremost, their priority will be to ensure that Russia’s willingness to play politics with its energy policy does not result in Europe facing an energy crisis. To this extent, a number of measures have already been put in place. Poland, for example, has acted to refill its gas stocks in anticipation of the Russian move, with Warsaw reporting that its stocks currently stand at around 80 per cent.
In addition, Poland, which had already announced its intention to stop importing Russian oil, gas and coal by the end of the year, is in the process of securing gas from Norway via the new Baltic Pipe Project, which is expected to be operational by the end of the year. With the prospect of other countries being affected as well, the EU will be urgently exploring ways to make up for the possible shortfall.
Moscow’s action is also likely to see a hardening of the position of many European leaders with regard to the conflict.
A more assertive tone was reflected in a speech made by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss this week, when she insisted a Ukrainian victory in the conflict was a “strategic imperative”. She even called on Nato allies to “ramp up” military spending towards this end.
The deterioration in Moscow-Nato relations can also be seen in German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent U-turn over a call to provide Ukrainian forces with tanks. Mr Scholz had been criticised for his reluctance to supply Kyiv with heavy weapons over concerns it would antagonise the Kremlin. His decision to sell 50 German anti-aircraft tanks is, therefore, a major shift in Berlin’s position, one that indicates that the Chancellor is unafraid to confront Mr Putin.
With countries such as Germany adopting an increasingly hardline position, the prospects of a diplomatic resolution to the conflict have become more distant by the day.
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
8.50pm: Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
9.25pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections
6.30pm: Final Song
7.05pm: Pocket Dynamo
7.40pm: Dubai Icon
8.15pm: Dubai Legacy
8.50pm: Drafted
9.25pm: Lucius Tiberius
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
EXPATS
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