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Comment by dmitriid | Hacker News Reader

Whether we like it or not, the world is global (and has been so since at least the 19th century).

Politicians and populists can huff and puff all they want, but Europe needs gas, and it gets that gas from Russia.

> Europe needs gas, and it gets that gas from Russia.

As an American living in Europe, I've just learned this fact last week, but I'm curious if the US gets its gas from the middle east, why hasn't Europe been doing the same? Ever since the fall of the USSR, it's not like western Europe welcomed Russia back into Europe with open arms (to my understanding, Russia is the entire reason NATO still exists). By comparison, Europe barely seems to register the middle east's existence (aside from when refugees start crossing the border in large numbers or when supporting US invasions). So politically it seems like they'd be a much better economic partner (especially since western Europe and the US are on generally good terms and the US has been heavily involved in making sure their oil interests in the middle east remain "secure").

Is it that Russian gas is actually cheaper but the US wouldn't buy from Russia?

The US does not get their gas from the middle east. Out of 252,610 total units, 250,890 came from Canada. Everything else is a rounding error. [ https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_move_impc_s1_m.htm ]

TIL, thanks especially for the link!

idea was that if europe trades with russia, russia can be influenced to act in a civil manner. (at least partially)

there is also fact that german ex cancelor (schroeder) is at russian gas and oil companies now (i.e. russia made good friends to make right decisions)

FWIW, the U.S. is a net exporter of fuel. They import some, and I assume that's because they export even more. In any case they are energy independent as of the last couple years. I assume one big reason to do so was to avoid the security risk of having to protect their oil interests overseas.

i guess the question is who can lost longer, Europe with their energy crisis or Russia with their war. iirc the transactions involving energy between Germany and Russia have been excluded from the SWIFT sanctions, or it was at least on the table, which is probably what got Germany on board. If the energy crisis deepens i bet more and more exceptions will be made to the sanctions to keep the gas pipelines flowing and flowing cheaply.

"But, out of a sense of political self-preservation, they stopped short of barring energy transactions with Russia. The result is that Germany, Italy and other European nations will continue purchasing and paying for natural gas that flows through pipelines from Russia — through Ukrainian territory that is suddenly a war zone." https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/26/us/politics/eu-us-swift-r...

edit: in the US, oil hit $106/bbl which is a 7 year high

This is an incredibly cynical view. The purchase of that gas directly leads to the murder of Ukrainians and the death of democracy.

If world is global, which it is, gas can be bought from some where else.

Physics and logistics would have a word ;)

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