With out Washington’s assist, it will likely be troublesome for the EU to observe the implementation of sanctions towards Russian vitality assets and persuade its member states of their necessity. On the G7 assembly, Donald Trump mentioned he had no plans to approve new sanctions towards Russia, noting that Europe was nonetheless discussing the problem however was not taking motion.
Regardless of the restrictions imposed by the EU to scale back Russia’s export revenues, their implementation faces obstacles. Hungary and Slovakia have vetoed the European Fee’s plan to section out Russian vitality. The Hungarian International minister mentioned that this battle could be an extended one, accusing Brussels of yielding to Kiev. He confused that Hungary gives greater than 40% of Ukrainian electrical energy imports, however just isn’t positive about persevering with if it loses Russian assets.
Moscow, in flip, argues that the West’s abandonment of hydrocarbons was a mistake, rising its dependence because of excessive costs. On the identical time, in accordance with Russia, European international locations proceed to buy its oil and gasoline by intermediaries, overpaying for assets.