“Crunches” in the unity of the European Union have been caused by the indisputable energy crisis that has been caused so much by the connection of prices with gas, as well as from the war in Ukraine. A crisis which is expected to intensify even more in the next period, due to the embargo imposed by the Europeans on Russian oil.
The “squeaks” are located, at this stage, on two levels:
1) In the measures he has delayed to decide the European Union, in order to “absorb” the huge increases in energy bills and in particular electricity. One after another, European countries, including Greece, are unable to wait for the EU decisions, which will be discussed at the Summit on 30 and 31 May, and announce measures to ease the pressure on citizens. By the end of the month, it is speculated that several governments will have set their own course, with measures aimed at reducing energy costs for citizens, posing a pressing dilemma in the EU, which will be called upon to make key decisions, which will touch on the substance of the problem.
2) The embargo on Russian oil and gas, as at least five countries react, threatening even with a “veto” if the EU approves the 6th package of sanctions against Russia, including the embargo. On Wednesday, as well as on Thursday, the “27” failed to agree on a common line for the 6th package of sanctions against Russia, which had been announced earlier by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. According to diplomats, the agreement is expected to be reached on Friday, but “eastern” countries, especially Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, insist on their reactions and ask for an exemption from the embargo or the removal of this measure from the 6th package. One solution to the “white smoke” is to exempt from the embargo of Hungary and Slovakia, which will retain the right to buy – in any way they wish – oil and gas from Russia.
What is included in the 6th package of sanctions
– First, the European Commission proposes the additional inclusion in the blacklist of sanctions, officials and other persons involved in the war crimes in Boutsa, but also those responsible for the “inhuman” scenes in the city of Mariupol, as said Ursula von der Layen. “This is another message to the Kremlin perpetrators: we know who you are, we will hold you accountable and you will not escape,” he added.
– Secondly, the 6th package of sanctions includes the exclusion of additional important Russian banks, including the Russian bank Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia, which holds about 37% of the Russian banking sector. “We are hitting banks that are systemically important to the Russian financial system and to Putin’s ability to sow disaster,” she said.
Thirdly, following the ban on Sputnik and RT, three more Russian news channels are banned from broadcasting in the EU. “They are no longer allowed to broadcast their content in the EU, either by satellite or via the internet. “These channels are the mouthpiece of Putin’s false news and propaganda, and we must not take them further,” said Ursula von der Leyen.
Fourth, the Kremlin relies on accountants and consultants from Europe and that will stop. These services will no longer be provided in Russia.
Fifth, after the ban on Russian coal today, imports of Russian oil will be gradually banned. “It will not be easy, because some member states are dependent on Russian oil, but it is something that needs to be done,” Ursula von der Leyen admitted. It is proposed to ban Russian oil from Europe, with a complete ban on imports by sea and through pipelines of refined and crude oil. This will be done gradually, within 6 months for crude oil and by the end of the year for refined products, in order to “reduce the impact on the world market”, said the President of the Commission. “This will maximize the pressure on Russia, while at the same time minimizing collateral damage to us and to the world,” he added.
Germany is preparing for fuel shortages
The embargo on Russian oil and gas is not a simple matter for any of the 27 countries, which is reflected in both the level of reactions and the level of action. Germany, which is positive about Europe’s gradual disengagement from Russian fossil fuels, is already preparing for a possible fuel and food shortage, according to Economy Minister Robert Hubbek and Agriculture Minister Cem Ezdemir.
«This can not be ruled out, unfortunately, I must say that there will be real shortages“, Admitted Mr. Habek speaking to the private television station RTL and explained that the The issue concerns the Svend refinery in Brandenburg, which supplies the wider East Germany and is connected to the Russian pipeline “Friendship”, while it is almost entirely owned by the Russian company Rosneft. This refinery only processes Russian oil and, if it does not have enough, it will inevitably produce less gasoline.
THE Minister of Economy assured that the government is considering every possible scenario in order to avoid the expected problems, but reiterated his assessment of “price jumps»In case of supply interruption. The problem, he explained, is that Russian oil will have to be replaced by possibly more expensive alternatives by other countries. Necessary conversions and changes to transportation routes involve additional labor and costs, making refueling and heating more expensive, he said.
In the same vein, Agriculture Minister Cem Ezdemir warned risk of stagnant inflation, which, he said, increases as the war continues. «Putin strategically wants to lead the world to starvation. He is trying to convey the conflict to the rest of the world“Mr. Ezdemir said on the first channel of the German public television ARD and pointed out that prices for agricultural and livestock products will continue to rise. “Because the food industry has already procured the products it needs, the change in prices will be felt by the consumer a little later,”but then we will feel it“, Said the minister characteristically.
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