Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine six months ago, the West’s response has been mostly robust and united, surprise many.
Despite years of strained relations during the tenure of former US President Donald Trump and the Corona epidemic, the transatlantic alliance was able to band together and reach agreements for financial assistance and the donation of weapons to Kiev, as well as agreements to halt the use of Russian energy and impose sanctions, a target that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his entourage failed to meet.
However, six months into the conflict, policymakers in Europe are concerned that this agreement will be broken as the old continent faces a grim winter marked by high food costs, inadequate energy to heat houses, and the real threat of an economic crisis.
According to the network, the winter fuel issue is something European officials and diplomats ponder about on a daily basis, as Russia will contribute around 55 percent of total gas imports to Europe in 2021.
European countries are likewise hungry for Russian oil, since the old continent accounts for over half of Russia’s oil imports. According to reports, the European Union will buy 2. 2 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2021.
It will be extremely tough within the European Union, and we must attempt to live up to our commitment of isolating Russia from any benefits from gas and other resources, said one senior European diplomat, whose identity was not revealed, alluding to an agreement made by EU member states. To cut Russian gas use by 15%.
European officials, on the other hand, are concerned that the Western plan of arming Ukrainians may become a short-term solution to a long-term problem, a war with no clear end point.
CNN: Europe’s winter undermines Western unity in dealing with the Ukraine conflict.
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