Russian gas to Europe 'blocked'

So Europe is constipated with natural gas from Russia, while they argue with the Ukraine. The story, if you haven't been following, is that Russia stopped natural gas supplies to Europe. Russia supplies 15-20% of Europe's gas. At first, Russia claimed that Ukraine, where the European pipeline for gas flows through, was siphoning gas and therefor cut supplies to figure out the stolen gas. Then Russia changed their story and revealed how much less they charge the Ukraine, an old soviet block country, and that they wanted more money per 1,000 pounds of gas. The Ukraine told everyone that they couldn't pay the new bill and refuted charges of stealing European gas.

The European Union stepped in after the two arguing countries couldn't settle the dispute, and demanded that they (the EU) be able to monitor gas on both sides to be a third party in the dispute. Russia reluctantly agreed to this deal and promised a shipment of gas. Surprisingly, Russia fails again, and only sends a test shipment, which Ukraine used to heat their cities and nothing made it to eastern Europe. ;(

So once again, Russia blames the Ukraine for stealing European gas, and we are back at step one. All the while, the people of eastern Europe suffer in the cold hands of Russia.

I suggest that the EU invests in more African gas supplies until Russia plays nice. Africa has plenty of new oil and gas resources waiting to be sold. Round up some tankers, natural gas and oil, and take your money somewhere else.

Links:
Gas-starved EU nations seek end to energy crisis
BBC NEWS | Europe | Russian gas to Europe 'blocked'