Russia announced that it had cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria as the countries failed to comply with trade agreements. A decision that the European Union (EU) called blackmail. And with that, it put European countries on high alert.

For Luciana Reis (photo), a specialist in the oil, gas, infrastructure and energy sector, "the impact of cutting off gas supplies by Russia to the European Union is quite relevant, especially in the short term, since its replacement depends on high investments in infrastructure, mainly in regasification terminals to receive LNG. Immediately, the European Union would need to reduce the demand for gas and increase the use of alternative fuels, such as coal and nuclear energy, interfering with the fulfillment of the European decarbonization goals", understands the expert."

Acácio Miranda, a specialist in International Law, points out that "the interruption of gas supply was already expected by Russia since the beginning of the conflict. Since a considerable part of the gas consumed in Europe and the European Union is of Russian and Ukrainian origin. It is also important to understand that international relations, despite the sovereignty between countries, are guided by economic relations. So, this is yet another economic effect that, in theory, does not affect the sovereignty of countries at all." , Miranda. 

Sources: 

Luciana Reis - specialist in the oil, gas, infrastructure and energy sector. Graduated in Law from the Law School of the University of São Paulo (USP/SP). Partner at Barcellos Tucunduva Advogados.

Acacio Miranda - lawyer specializing in Criminal and Constitutional Law. Master in International Criminal Law from the University of Granada/Spain - Doctoral candidate in Constitutional Law from the IDP/DF.