Autumn is approaching, with cooler weather. And with that, concerns are increasing in several EU countries about how to cope with another winter without Russian fossil gas. Austria does not have that problem, where the country’s energy company OMV continues to buy gas directly from Russian companies.
– Through our purchase of gas, we finance Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine, says Douglas Hoyos, who is secretary general of the liberal opposition party Neos.
These are huge amounts. During the 18 months, OMV has bought Russian gas for around 7 billion euros, or 83 billion kroner. This corresponds to around SEK 10,000 per person in the country.
That amount is greater than Austria’s entire financial support for Ukraine during the war.
But if you live in Austria, you often have no choice. Gas boilers are still the most common way to heat houses, kitchens often have gas stoves and there is no way as a consumer to opt out of Russian gas.
“Involuntarily supporting the war”
Daria Dalichuk is from Kiev in Ukraine, but she has been living in Vienna for the past six years. After the large-scale Russian invasion of her homeland began, she became an activist: she has organized demonstrations against the Russian offensive.
But when she comes home to her apartment in central Vienna and wants to cook, she is still forced to use around 80 percent of Russian gas.
– When I cook here, I involuntarily support the war, says Daria, and looks down at the blue gas flame in the stove.
Historically good relations with Russia
In 1968, Austria became the first country in Western Europe to import gas from the Soviet Union. The country is officially neutral, it is written in the Austrian constitution, and it is something that many in the country celebrate. The thinking was that a neutral country can trade with any country, even if they may be politically problematic.
Exactly 50 years later, in 2018, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz went to Moscow to further deepen energy relations with Russia. He signed an agreement that markedly increased imports of Russian gas, right up until 2040.
Became completely dependent on Russian gas
Austria became completely dependent on Russian gas. When the percentage was 55 percent in Germany, it often exceeded 80 percent in Austria.
After the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Austrian government pulled the handbrake and said it was time to stop being so dependent on Russia. But, according to critics, not much has happened since then.
Few gas agreements have been concluded with other countries and the construction of alternative pipelines is slow. There does not seem to be any major political will to push through a reform of the energy market, which would probably lead to higher prices.
– A lot of talk and a little workshop, Douglas Hoyos from Neos calls it.
In Daria Dalichuk’s apartment, the blue flame of Russian gas continues to burn. It will probably annoy her for years to come.