European residents are facing a harsh winter with rising gas prices and extreme cold weather since Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe.
Ukraine on Jan 1 stopped the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe following the expiration of a five-year transportation agreement, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said.
With the start of the new year, temperatures in major European cities like London, Paris, and Berlin once dropped below zero, falling below the average levels of the past 30 years. From Wednesday evening to Thursday, heavy snowfall swept across Belgium, with minimum temperatures dropping below minus 1 degree Celsius.
The cold weather has led to increased heating demand, while the closure of the pipelines has driven up natural gas prices across Europe.
"My parents tell me to sometimes close my heating because it's too pricey. Every day, I hear someone complaining about the prices going up," said Saga, a student.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, the EU has sought to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, even going so far as to purchase liquefied natural gas from the United States at high prices. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump warned the European Union (EU) last month that it must commit to buying large amounts of U.S. oil and gas or face tariffs.
However, a European analyst points out that there remains a demand in the European market for inexpensive Russian natural gas, making it difficult for the EU to achieve 'decoupling' from Russian energy.
"Because the EU is still profiting from a relatively cheap Russian gas through these pipelines through Ukraine. Ukraine, by the way, has also been profiting through transit fees. And there is also opposition of some member states in the EU that still get Russian gas," said Philipp Lausberg, policy analyst of European Policy Centre.
Europe faces harsh winter as Ukraine halts Russian gas transit to Europe
Europe faces harsh winter as Ukraine halts Russian gas transit to Europe
Europe faces harsh winter as Ukraine halts Russian gas transit to Europe
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
