Robert Gabeck/globeecho.com
Russia is doing everything possible to destroy the unity in the European Union. First of all, in support of Ukraine and sanctions against Russia itself.
Russia has long made it its goal to weaken the influence of the European Union and NATO. For this, squabbles within the country were created.
After Russia's attack on Ukraine, the EU and NATO became even more united. Then three months after the start of the war, this unity of the European Union “begins to collapse”, especially with regard to sanctions against Russia. This was stated by the Minister of Economics and Climate Protection of Germany, Robert Gabeck.
They cannot agree because of the oil embargo
The European Union actively imposed sanctions against Russia, each time inflicting an increasing blow to the Russian economy. A total of five packages of sanctions against Russia were introduced. But the last one is April 8th. After that, the process stopped.
In the sixth package of sanctions that were to be introduced, the EU was to impose an embargo on the supply of Russian oil. After all, it is energy revenues that fill the Russian budget most of all, the money from which is spent on the war against Ukraine.
But the EU countries have so far failed to agree on the details of this package of sanctions. After all, many of them depend on the supply of Russian oil. Some are simply not able to refuse it, because there is no way to get oil from other sources. There are those who do not want to give up cheaper energy resources.
On Friday, May 27, European countries tried to reach an agreement on an embargo on the sea shipments of Russian oil, while at the same time allowing shipments through oil pipelines. All this for the sake of a compromise with Hungary so that it will unlock the imposition of new sanctions against Moscow.
“After the Russian attack on Ukraine, we saw what can happen when Europe is united. Given the Monday summit, let's hope so And it will be. But it is already starting to collapse and collapse again,” Gabek said.
Already on Monday and Tuesday (May 30-31), EU leaders will meet again to discuss a new package of sanctions against Russia. It should include an oil embargo and a program to accelerate the end of dependence on fossil fuels, including Russian gas.
Gabek urged Germany to speak with one voice at the summit instead of abstaining from voting due to differences in views within the ruling coalition of the country. He called for similar unity in other EU countries.
“Europe is still a huge economic territory with incredible economic power. And when it comes together, it can use this power,” Gabek is convinced.
