Pipeliners

04.05.2006 MosNews - Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has accused Russia of using its energy supplies to secure political influence over its neighbors and condemned Germany for backing Russia's controversial Baltic Sea Gas Pipeline, which will circumvent all of current transit countries, such as Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states. Adamkus spoke to the British Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday, May 3, on the eve of an international pro-democracy conference in Vilnius. Regarding Germany's stance on the pipeline he said: "I believe I can understand the Russian position but I cannot understand Germany's position. As a member of the EU, they acted without even extending the courtesy of advising the Baltic states [about their plans]." Adamkus's comments echoed those of Polish officials including Radek Sikorski, the country's Defense Minister. Earlier this week Sikorski compared the Baltic pipeline deal with the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact — the secret German-Soviet agreement signed just before World War II. The agreement divided up Eastern Europe between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Referring to Moscow's efforts to extend its influence through energy policy, Lithuanian President said: "I don't want to use the world blackmail." However he made it clear that he was very concerned about Russia's economic and political pressure.