The Kremlin’s gas blackmail forced the European Union to rush to find a replacement for Russia’s gas so as not to make concessions in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Russia has completely or partially cut off 12 EU countries from gas supplies, Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, said on June 24. At a European Council meeting, meanwhile, EU leaders ordered the European Commission to work on an urgent search for cheap energy sources to eliminate reliance on Russia.
“In a situation where Russia is using gas as a weapon, the European Council has called on the European Commission to continue its efforts to immediately seek energy sources at affordable prices,” the European Council said in a statement.
The EU has no doubt that the Kremlin has made Gazprom the main weapon in the energy war. Europeans no longer believe in “technical reasons” for the reduction in supplies and are preparing for a complete gas blockade of the Russian Federation. Athletistic saying what has been written about it in the international media.
Garbage returns like a boomerang
taz, Germany
Oil, gas and coal have always been cheap – and continue to become cheaper in relation to the purchasing power of the population. No need to be frugal. On the contrary: goods were made shorter -lived and energy intensive, transportation routes became longer, cars and houses became more numerous.
The efficiency gains are offset by increased consumption: more economical engines, larger vehicles and longer trips …
“From now on, there will be a gas shortage,” said German Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
This is both true and false at the same time. Natural gas, which is as bad for the climate as coal and also financially authoritarian systems, should have been made a scarce commodity many decades ago.
The EU heads Russia’s budget despite sanctions
Financial Times, UK
At the G7 summit, a specific package of measures will be put in place to increase pressure on Russia and show collective support for Ukraine. In addition to the new sanctions, G7 leaders will discuss measures to stabilize world energy markets.
The measures should further reduce Russia’s energy revenues, while at the same time reducing pressure on markets.
The US banned Russia’s energy imports and supported the EU’s efforts to curb its own dependence on oil and gas.
But U.S. officials are concerned that, for example, the European Union’s ban on insurance for Russia’s oil shipments could be counterproductive. And as a result, they will lead to a sharp rise in prices, which will fill the budget of Russia.
With the nuclear power plant, France is in a better position
France
We have energy – stable, clean and in more quantity than anywhere else … After a long hesitation, Emmanuel Macron finally decided to invest heavily in the construction of new nuclear power plants and alternative energy.
Given climate challenges and strategic imperatives, this seems to be the most reasonable solution today.
All of Germany against Gazprom
DW, Germany
Germany has announced an alarm on the situation with gas supply … This is, first of all, a political signal. It is designed to mobilize all of Germany to save gas everywhere to get into the winter heating season with gas storages filled to the maximum.
Berlin’s announcement of an energy alarm means a new decisive step towards an accelerated overcoming of hope in Russia.
In other words: Moscow has ensured that the whole of Germany is now mobilized with the aim of completely removing gas weapons from the hands of the Kremlin and removing Gazprom from its largest export market as soon as possible.
Return to coal despite heating
Washington Post, USA
After reducing Russia’s gas supplies, Germany and Austria will start again and re -equip some coal -fired power plants, the Dutch authorities have also lifted restrictions on the operation of such businesses. .
The return to coal is contrary to the climate policies already in place in Amsterdam and Berlin. But without it, according to German Economy Minister Robert Habek, storage facilities will not be filled in the winter.
Europeans are ready to suffer for the sake of Ukraine
Today’s News, Sweden
Politicians, including those in Sweden, must clearly understand that there is a price to be paid for protecting Ukraine and fighting Putin. And the main thing here is the following: they should not proceed from the fact that citizens refuse to pay this price.
At least six out of ten Europeans consider it important to protect European values such as democracy and the individual freedoms of citizens – even if it means higher inflation and lower living standards …
And nine out of ten respondents do not support Putin’s Russia. People in Europe know what values Ukraine is fighting for today.
Putin hopes to win
BBC News, Britain
Europe wants to use clean gas in “green” economic restructuring to quickly shut down coal, and in Germany also nuclear power plants …
This is not part of Putin’s plans. He criticized the “smart men” from the European Union from all angles, last summer he slightly turned the tap, and in the autumn he carried out a large demonstrative deficit …
Putin’s development strategy for Russia still assigns it a place as the region’s leading energy power, while in Europe’s plans until 2050, Russia’s minerals are designated a moderate and steadily declining role before the war. The aggression against Ukraine has only accelerated this movement in the opposite direction – the new EU plan provides a complete rejection in 2027.
Putin expects to emerge victorious from the current crisis. In his opinion, the EU will continue to buy gas, oil and coal from him, but it will be a different EU.
“Such a cessation of reality, from the demands of society will inevitably lead to an influx of populism and growth of extremist, radical movements, to serious socio-economic changes, to destruction, and in the near future , in a change of elites., ”he told SPIEF last week.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.