Europe says 'nyet' to OAO Gazprom

Matthew Lynn

Russian companies are faced with a new type of iron curtain, as trade barriers replace the barbed wi...

Russian companies are faced with a new type of iron curtain, as trade barriers replace the barbed wire and concrete that were removed 17 years ago. In the past few months, energy giant OAO Gazprom has been trying to expand across Europe. It does not just want to supply the bulk of the region's energy. It wants to own the pipes into the houses and send out the bills as well. With the exception of the British, most of Europe is ready to say nyet. It makes no sense for Europe to spend billions developing alternative energy sources when it has so much Russian gas right on its doorstep. And Ga...