By halting gas supplies to Austria, Russia has once again used energy as a weapon and once again proved that it is not a partner.
This was stated on social media by Leonore Gewessler, the Austrian Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology.
"OMV announced today that gas deliveries from Russia will be halted tomorrow morning. This is yet another instance of Russia using energy as a weapon," Gewessler wrote.
At the same time, she reassured that Austria "has been preparing for this situation for a long time" and that the country's energy supply would be secured. According to the minister, Austria's gas storage currently holds more gas than the country consumes in a year, and there are also alternative gas supply routes that do not involve Russia.
"The domestic gas storage is full. Currently, it holds more than Austria's annual consumption. The pipelines from Italy and Germany offer sufficient capacity for the import of non-Russian natural gas. The state gas reserve is also fully stocked," Gewessler reported.
She expressed hope that all companies operating in Austria's gas market will complete the transition to new supply sources.
"Gazprom proves once again today: Russia is not a partner. However, with tomorrow, one danger ends. If we no longer receive Russian supplies, we are no longer vulnerable to blackmail. Our independence is a valuable asset. We will continue to protect it," emphasized the minister.
Russian Gazprom Export informed the partially state-owned Austrian oil and gas company OMV that it will stop gas supplies to Austria through Ukraine starting tomorrow.
This followed OMV winning an arbitration lawsuit for €230 million against Gazprom Export over a dispute regarding the failure of gas deliveries under the "German contract." It was noted that the lawsuit amount would immediately be credited against OMV's obligations to Gazprom Export under the gas supply contract for Austria.
In 2018, OMV extended its gas supply contract with Russian Gazprom until 2040.
At the time of Russia's full-scale invasion, Austria was buying 79% of its natural gas from Russia, which was delivered via Ukraine. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Austria continued to purchase most of its gas from Russia due to the existing contract and its "take or pay" clause.
