Last modification: 10/03/08
 -  Belarus - Gazprom - Georgia - Russia
 
Russian power play
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Gazprom, Russia’s state-run gas monopoly, plays a key role in Russia’s international relations. A FRANCE 24 special report.
Natural gas has been a key element behind Russia’s economic and political relations with Europe. Russian gas monopoly Gazprom provides a quarter of Europe’s gas, a major part of which transits through ex-Soviet countries like Belarus and Ukraine. The Kremlin has repeatedly flexed its diplomatic muscle by cutting off Ukranian gas supplies. In March 2008, former Gazprom CEO Dmitry Medvedev was elected as Russia’s new President. Analysts predict that the new Russian government will continue to use Gazprom as a diplomatic tool in international politics.

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