1、1 Energy Information Administration, Russia Country Analysis Brief, “Natural Gas,” January2006; Eni, World Oil & Gas Review 2006, at http:/www.eni.it/eni/images_static/wogr/pdf/wogr2006.pdf, viewed Dec. 21 and 27, 2006.Order Code RS22562Updated January 18, 2007Russian Natural Gas: Regional Dependenc
2、eBernard A. GelbSpecialist in Industry EconomicsResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryRussia is the dominant natural gas supplier to Europe and neighboring formerSoviet states, as well as a major provider of oil. Some countries are entirely or largelydependent upon Russian energy supplies,
3、 particularly other Soviet successor states. Assuch, Russia has some ability to dictate natural gas prices. Russia cut off the gas supplyto Ukraine and to Moldova in January 2006 and threatened to cut off gas supplies toBelarus and Georgia during late 2006 price negotiations. These and other actions
4、 in theinterim damaged Russias reputation as a reliable energy supplier, spurred importingcountries to seek other sources, and provoked criticism that it is using energy as apolitical tool.Russia is the worlds largest exporter of natural gas, the dominant gas supplier toEurope and neighboring former
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