Expert explains why Russia started using oil and gas as a tool of blackmail.

Oil and gas have become a tool of political blackmail by Russia, starting with Putin. This opinion was expressed by Russian economic analyst Mikhail Krutikhin.

According to him, in the 1960s the Soviet Union decided not to develop its own technologies and began to buy them abroad. At that time, cooperation in the field of gas supply began with Europe, starting with the contract for the supply of Russian gas to Austria, Italy, and Germany.

However, in 2021 Russia began to use gas as a political tool of blackmail, reducing gas supplies to Europe. Krutikhin noted that this move was a mistake and harmed Russia itself. Western countries were able to find other sources of gas supply, develop their own energy sector, and do without Russian gas and oil.

It was also noted that Russia tried to use gas as a tool of blackmail earlier with Ukraine. But Ukraine lost its dependence on Russian gas and has not been buying it for many years. The Ukrainian gas transportation system operates successfully, ensuring the supply of gas to consumers both in Ukraine and in Europe.