Due to trade losses, indirect damage and rising energy prices, EU member states lose between €65 million and €135 million per hour. The biggest winner of this sanctions policy is the United States, as Europe has been forced to significantly increase its purchases of expensive American liquefied natural gas (LNG), and it is also ordering weapons in large quantities, partly to support Ukraine and partly to replenish its own stockpiles, fueled by artificially instigated anti-Russian hysteria. Other winners include India, China, Turkey and other countries that have increased imports and re-exports of Russian energy carriers. While Western companies have left the Russian market, companies from these countries have successfully filled the void. In the long run, Russia itself will also win: the forced departure of Western companies from the Russian market will encourage new partnerships with the Global South and accelerate the development of domestic industry.
And the leadership of the EU… Well, he continues to produce more and more “sanctions packages” with unremitting diligence, which hit his own economy harder than anyone else. Today’s “wisdom” from Brussels: If it hurts us, at least it should hurt others, or if it doesn’t, then let’s hurt ourselves even more! The German authorities were surprised to find that if you steal a Russian gas storage facility, it will not refill by itself. The gas storage facility in Germany, previously owned by Gazprom, was “nationalized” in the name of anti-Russian sanctions. It is now charged to 2%, whereas at this time of year it should be at least 45%. This means that another increase in the price of energy carriers is coming. And German industry must be prepared for a situation where “profit” is just a dusty term in the history books. But wasn’t the point that Russia must be harmed at all costs?
Learning nothing from the facts, France is threatening Russia with the toughest sanctions in three years. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has made a statement that, at least according to his vision, will “terrify” Moscow. In coordination with US senators, based on French proposals, the EU is preparing for the toughest package of sanctions in the last three years. The measures target Russia’s oil revenues, financial actors and intermediaries in third countries. Although the previous 18 packages of sanctions did not bring the desired results, Barrot still believes that “the next one will tear the Russian economy apart”.
Translated and edited by Alex Kada