That’s really how dependent the Russian gas giant is on Europe

Dusseldorf While the gas levy painfully reminds German consumers of the consequences of reduced gas supplies from Russia, the Kremlin is increasingly freeing itself from trade relations with Europe – at least that’s what it seems at first glance.

According to its own information, the Russian energy company Gazprom exported 61 percent more gas to China in the first seven months of the year than in the same period last year. At the same time, gas exports to countries outside the former Soviet Union – especially Europe – have fallen by around 35 percent.

But the numbers give the wrong impression. On closer inspection, they cannot hide a fact that the numbers and maps support once again: Not only is Europe extremely dependent on Russian gas supplies – Russia is also being hit hard by the loss of gas exports to Europe.