On February 24th, 2022, one of the world's most powerful petro-states gave the gas industry

a lifeline.

The Muntson Buildup of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine has turned now into

an invasion.

It was an echo of Russia's invasion of Crimea back in 2014.

Back then, the world was caught off guard by Russia's aggression.

Even the fossil fuel companies, which lost millions when the US imposed stiff sanctions on Russia

and US oil companies like ExxonMobil found themselves holding assets worth nothing.

This time, the industry was ready with a proactive response.

I think on February 24th, I freaked out because within hours of Putin's invasion, just watching

serious patterns emerge where API and other trade associations were echoing similar.

Talking points, immediately, antibody and talking points, anti-renewable energy talking

points.

Christine Arena is a public relations expert who previously worked as a VP for Edelman PR.

Back when the firm was handling the account for the American Petroleum Institute or API.

She left that job in 2015 and has a new gig now.

Really been focused for the last seven years on climate accountability, and that is helping

lawmakers to assess greenwash climate disinformation, how it occurs, how it spreads, and how

it's working.

And there was a lot of questionable messaging to observe over the past few months.

First, for some context, even before Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the industry was lobbying

the White House for weak sanctions.

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