* Europe's and post-Soviet countries' dependence on Russian gas, and Russia's attempts to play this card continue to be in the focus of the Estonian press. "The Kiev-Moscow crisis is becoming all the more acute because European leaders know that North Sea deposits are being depleted, a fact which has led some countries to replace gas with atomic energy. There is hope, therefore, that the crisis will compel Europe to work out a common energy policy." (Delfi, January 18.)
The press has published an open letter from the Baltic and Polish former Prime Ministers with an appeal to the European Union to develop a united energy policy. "The gas quarrel shows that Russia will not think twice before using energy as a weapon..." Gazprom has taught a harsh lesson not only to millions of people, but also to the political elite. In several years we will be grateful to Vladimir Putin, who compelled Europe to take a closer look at the use of energy, and increase the variety of its carriers. The EU should find a common language in talking about energy and policy as regards Russia." (Eesti Päevaleht, January 18.)
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