The slump in demand is coming at a time when Russia is desperate for hard currency, owing to sanctions that exclude it from credit markets. Its major companies are facing huge debt refinancing needs, its currency reserves are collapsing, its economy is heading toward a deep recession, and the ruble is plumbing new lows.
事实上，欧洲市场已经开始逐渐萎缩。去年三季度，俄天然气欧洲销售额暴跌，四季度又下降25%。需求暴降恰逢俄罗斯急需硬通货的时期，因为制裁措施使其无法进入信用市场。俄罗斯大公司正面临巨大的再融资需求，其货币储备正在暴降，其经济正在滑向深度衰退，而卢布也是频创新低。