Europe needs gas and Russia needs cash, so expect an energy-fuelled reconciliation

The Ukraine crisis caused relations between Russia and the EU to fall to their lowest point since the Cold War. But despite the bickering and outright conflicts, both still need each other: Europe relies on Russian gas to keep warm, and Russia in turn needs revenues. With winter on its way and capital flight from Russia reaching dangerous levels, the outlook should draw the EU and Russia back together.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 16.10.14: Russian gas less mighty than it looks, EU says http://euobserver.com/foreign/126111

ESO: Background information: Gas stress test: Cooperation is key to cope with supply interruption http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-gas-stress-test-cooperation-is-key-to-cope-with-supply-interruption/

ESO: Background information: Russia threatens EU states with gas cut-offs http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-threatens-eu-states-with-gas-cut-offs/

Der Standard, 20.10.14: Create new gas supply routes for the EU (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE152189-Create-new-gas-supply-routes-for-the-EU

ESO: Background information: Putin orders troop withdrawal / Putin-Poroshenko to discuss gas and ceasefire at Italy talks http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-orders-troop-withdrawal-putin-poroshenko-to-discuss-gas-and-ceasefire-at-italy-talks/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 12.11.14: Russia and the West are now firmly locked in a war of economic attrition http://bit.ly/1xumwCh

The Conversation, 12.11.14: Why Russia isn’t abandoning Europe for Chinese gas revenue http://theconversation.com/why-russia-isnt-abandoning-europe-for-chinese-gas-revenue-34112

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