Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, stated on Wednesday that the 27-nation European Union must develop emergency preparations to be ready for a complete cutoff of Russian gas following the Russian government’s conflict in Ukraine.
“It is clear that Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, continues to utilise energy as a weapon.” She informed lawmakers in Strasbourg, France, that the Commission is creating a European emergency strategy in response to this.
The EU is avoiding deliveries that are under Kremlin control and has already implemented sanctions on Russia, including on some energy supply. Ahead of the middle of the month, the first preparations will be given, according to the head of the EU’s executive arm, who also warned that the bloc must be prepared for any unexpected disruptions from Moscow. She remarked, hoping to avoid the chaotic situations and the my-country-first mentality that certain member states displayed early on in the COVID-19 pandemic response, “If worst comes to worst, then we have to be prepared.”
Energy and the possibility of a winter without enough electricity to run enterprises or heat homes could now provide a comparable threat to EU unity and serve as a breeding ground for populist split.
Von der Leyen stated that “it is crucial to have a European perspective and a coordinated strategy to a potential complete cutoff of Russian gas.” Gas supply restrictions or complete outages have already affected a dozen members as the political confrontation with Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine worsens.
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