In the news: What's new on the Eastern front?
The energy crisis, a new package of Russian sanctions, Nord Stream pipeline sabotage and a kingly visit. This week in Europe.
⚡ A disapointing EU energy ministers’ meeting
Energy ministers from the European Union met today in Brussels. They will discuss - of course - solutions to limit energy prices. This morning Politico was pessimistic about the outcome of the meeting:
But don’t expect any breakthrough. Instead, countries are fuming that the European Commission has yet to come forward with a detailed plan on a gas price cap — despite being asked to do so three weeks ago at the last emergency council.
Amoung the measures, ministers should agree on a revenue cap on energy generators, and a special windfall tax imposed on fossil-fuel companies.
A policy paper prepared by the Commission re-proposes Ursula von der Leyen’s earlier idea to cap only the price of Russian gas imports.
🇷🇺 Yet another sanctions package
After the sham referendum in the easternmost regions of Ukraine under Russian control and today’s probable annexation of the separatists regions by Russia, the EU unfolded yet another sanction package, the 8th so far.
But as sanctions pile up, it becomes increasingly difficult to reach an agreement within the Council. Some countries already feel the consequences of the energy crisis, while others clearly play the Kremlin’s game.
The package should introduce an oil price cap (before the already-acted oil embargo by the end of the year).
Although many in Europe welcome the new sanctions, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said they don’t “correspond to the scale of Putin’s escalation and the threat he poses to Europe and the whole world.”
💥Who sabotaged the pipelines?
In a story worthy of the worst spy movies, both side of the conflict in Ukraine are wondering who could have sabotaged the NordStream pipelines.
While all eyes turn towards Russia, the latter started an investigation of its own - in what looks like the adult version of a child accusing his teddy bear for the dissapearace of all the sweets in the pantry.
👑 The King to visit France by next month
Also reported in the press, the visit of Brexit-puzzled United Kingdom’s new monarch, King Charles III to France by next month.
In a trip that should bring him to Germany and other European nations, Charles III would seek to improve the UK’s relationship with the EU, amidst concerns over Liz Truss’ plans for post-Brexit diplomacy.
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