Ukraine: Counter-attack close to 'cutting off' Russian supplies

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Following the invasion of Ukraine, British officials congratulated themselves over the country’s low dependence on Russian oil in comparison to that of its neighbours on the Continent. But new fears suggest supplies could be impacted, even if indirectly, especially through the next winter.

Energy giant TotalEnergies announced this week it is splitting its ties with Russian oil “given the worsening situation in Ukraine and the existence of alternative sources of supply for Europe”.

It will stop purchasing Russian oil and oil produces by the end of 2022 “at the latest”.

But gas is a different story, with “Europe’s fas logistics capacities [making] it difficult to do without Russian gas in the next two to three years”.

The company said it could not split its gas ties “without affecting the continent’s energy supply”.

Amid growing pressure on all businesses with any Russia links to end their relationships in a bid to hurt Moscow, TotalEnergies warned doing so with gas could lead to winter shortages and even rationing.

TotalEnergies is French but any such shortages could have a major knock on effect in the UK given the company’s heavy links to UK businesses.

After starting operating the UK in the 1960s, TotalEnergies is now the second largest provider of gas by volume to businesses across the country.

Total’s Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanné told RTL radio this week cutting all links with Russia now would be greatly damaging for the West.

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He said: “If we stop Russian has we know that in the winter of 2023 we will have a problem.

“In January 2023 we might have to ration gas usage, not for households, but without a doubt for industrial companies in Europe.”

This is a stark reminder of the impact in the West of Western punishments of Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine.

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It is, however, far from the first.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned at the end of last month piling pressure on Moscow will have its impacts in the UK too.

She said: “The UK and our allies will have to undergo some economic hardship as a result of our sanctions.

“But our hardships are nothing compared to those endured by the people of Ukraine.”

The EU has also been moved to loosen its state aid rules for companies affected by sanctions on Russia.

It announced companies can receive up to 400,000 euros (£333,000) in support.

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