The gas dispute and East and West

The daily Postimees notes the difference between the status of gas in Western and Eastern Europe and comments that this has prompted different reactions in the East and West: "The gas dispute does not bode well for the countries to the east of the EU, for it reminds them once more of their dependence on Moscow. Bulgaria, for example, receives 100 percent of its gas supplies from Russia and has now had to inform its citizens that owing to the interruption its reserves are now almost exhausted. But ultimately all those countries, from Poland to Greece, that are supplied via Ukraine are affected. It would take time to reduce this dependence and this is what separates the new Europe from the old one. While the old EU states are calling on Eastern Europe to face up to their dependence on Russia, the new members call on the EU to close ranks with them and present a united front against Russia."

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