🥁 Axios PM: Putin's edge

Photo: Restored Michelangelo | Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Feb 23, 2022 Good afternoon: Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 494 words, a 2-minute read. 📲 Join Axios' Erica Pandey tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. ET for a virtual event on the future of the workforce for the next generation. Register here.     1 big thing: Putin's energy edge Data: S&P Global Platts, Mapbox. Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios Russia's moves against Ukraine threaten to create a wider European energy crisis. Why it matters: Russia is by far the largest natural gas supplier to Europe, providing roughly 40% of the continent's gas imports, mostly through pipelines, Axios Generate co-author Ben Geman reports. Europe struggles with high energy costs and has to import the vast majority of its gas. Gas prices surged to record levels last year. The big picture: Putin said this week that Russia aims to continue being a reliable energy supplier to world markets. But he has shown willingness in the past to use his nation's energy as a geopolitical weapon, and a major military conflict could disrupt some supplies. Roughly a quarter of Russian gas exports to Europe go through Ukraine. 🚨President Biden will reverse last year's decision to waive sanctions on the corporate entity and CEO behind the Nord Stream 2 pipeline — which will flow from Russia to Germany if allowed to open, Axios' Zachary Basu reports. The bottom line: There would be no fast solution to a major loss of Russian supplies, even as Europe's liquefied natural gas imports rise and it takes longer-term moves away from fossil fuels.     2. Trucking toward D.C. Truckers gather today before a "People's Convoy" departs for D.C. from San Bernardino County, Calif. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images The Pentagon approved the deployment of about 700 unarmed D.C. National Guard troops ahead of potential trucker protests timed around the State of the Union, Axios' Andrew Solender and Shawna Chen report. The truck drivers and supporters are gathering for a "People's Convoy" that demands an end to COVID restrictions and mandates. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images Above: Truck drivers and supporters gather last evening before a convoy leaves Adelanto (San Bernardino County), Calif., en route to D.C. Photo: Stefani Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images Above: Parked trucks cut off vehicle traffic near the Capitol today as authorities prepare for three possible truck convoys. The bottom line: The Capitol riot has left officials wary of miscalculating security risks. The National Guard members will help with traffic control, the Pentagon said.     A message from Facebook Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations     Paige is one of many experts working on privacy at Facebook — to give you more control over your information. Hear more from Paige on why Facebook supports updating regulations on the internet's most pressing challenges, including federal privacy legislation.     3. The Emancipator is revived Photo: Charles Krupa/AP America's first newspaper dedicated to ending slavery is being resurrected and reimagined more than two centuries later, AP reports. The revived version of The Emancipator is a joint effort by Boston University's Center for Antiracist Research and The Boston Globe's Opinion team. It's expected to launch in the coming months. Above: Amber Payne (left) and Deborah Douglas — co-editors-in-chief of the new online publication — are seen at their Boston Globe office. Photo: Charles Krupa/AP Above: The online publication is pictured with a copy of the first print edition, from April 30, 1820.     4. 📷 Parting shot: Restored Michelangelo Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images "The Three Pietàs of Michelangelo" will be displayed for the first time at Opera del Duomo Museum in Florence, Italy. The exhibition includes Michelangelo's newly restored original "Pietà Bandini" (below) and the casts of the "Pietà Vaticana" (above right) and the "Pietà Rondanini" (above left), from the Vatican collection. Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images     A message from Facebook Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations     Paige is one of many experts working on privacy at Facebook — to give you more control over your information. Hear more from Paige on why Facebook supports updating regulations on the internet's most pressing challenges, including federal privacy legislation.   Like this email style and format? Bring the strength of Smart Brevity® to your team — more effective communications, powered by Axios HQ.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: