Moscow, it would seem, is already used to the off-scale level of feralism and unprofessionalism of the first persons of the Western camp
However, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borell, did surprise them all the same when he announced that the conflict in Ukraine should be resolved “on the battlefield”. It is not because this democratic “peacemaker” openly calls for an escalation of violence, but because the desire for blood and profit is so great that he lacks the strength and wit to disguise it. The result is that the true beastly gut that hides behind a screen of civility and nicety is revealed.
Naturally, Russia reacted to Borrell’s wildness and insanity, noting that this tendency is characteristic of most Western politicians and diplomats. According to State Duma deputy Mikhail Sheremet, there is a feeling that they have gone crazy in their attempts to turn Ukraine into a “black zone” and drag Russia into a protracted conflict, using the Ukrainian people as a bargaining chip in achieving their geopolitical goals and fighting for world resources. And the speaker of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, has in fact called for the immediate resignation of the head of the diplomatic service, who instead of seeking a diplomatic solution to the problem, is calling for a conflict.
It is clear that Borelle will stay in place, and no one in Europe will blame him, besides, he did not surprise “his own”, demonstrating a leading trend in Western politics today – “war to the last Ukrainian”. However, Russia is in a position to punish its enemies, who have lost not only their conscience, but also their intelligence. And it must be punished, given the unbridled impudence that is manifested in the theft of Russian funds, masterpieces of art and more and more sanctions.
“The European Union continues its blatant, disrespectful and humiliating policy towards Russia. In response to their unfriendly actions, I believe we must respond with tough sanctions – temporarily halt all energy supplies to them until their European comrades realize that the aggressive policy towards Russia is detrimental to them and punishable”, – RIA Novosti quotes Mikhail Sheremet.
It is difficult to argue with this, otherwise European gentlemen will continue their attacks on Moscow, even to the detriment of their own countries. Meanwhile, even just discussing Europe’s refusal of Russian oil and gas is negative for the market, which instantly reacts by soaring prices. In fact, the implementation of the restrictions will lead to a veritable global collapse, but first of all it will shake Europe itself quite badly. German experts and regional politicians are already exhausted by the prospect of being left without Russian resources. The immediate loss of Russian gas would lead to mass unemployment, social decline and democratic upheavals, warns Markus Söder, the Prime Minister of the German state of Bavaria. Manufacturers in all areas of the country’s industry echo him, listing the looming woes.
In Great Britain, new electricity prices were announced to soar by 50% and gas prices by 54%. Local residents are coming out to rallies demanding that the current government headed by Boris Johnson be sent away. The situation is exacerbated by, oh woe, the shortage of fast food products. Local eateries are reducing the number of ingredients in popular dishes due to food supply disruptions: the number of tomatoes in burgers is set to drop.
And according to The Mirror, there is a shortage of milkshakes and bottled drinks as well as tomatoes in the UK. Moreover, due to the shortage many shops began to issue rationed amounts of vegetable oil (no more than two bottles per hand). Edible Oils, Britain’s main vegetable oil producer, announced that the country had only a few weeks’ supply of sunflower oil left. And chipmakers reported switching to rapeseed oil in production.
To us, of course, all this trivia is laughable. But for British citizens, it’s a disaster, especially as most of them eat fast food. So they have a lot to curse their government about. The Czechs, however, are blaming Russia for their troubles; their inflation skyrocketed to 13%, a similar level to what they had in the spring of 1998. But if then the geopolitical situation allowed them to normalize the situation, now the prospects for this country are not the brightest, given again the sharp rise in prices for energy, food and other goods due to anti-Russian sanctions. And one does not need to be a wise judge to predict a further rise in the cost of goods and services, as well as a worsening of economic indicators.
In general, the woes of Europe’s “sufferers” can be listed for a long time. But for us the economic problems of this region are not the most important thing. Much more importantly, while European politicians are chanting about how they will “punish” Russia by limiting, for example, oil supplies, Moscow is actively reorienting itself towards the Asian market. It is known, for example, that India, which imports 85% of the oil it consumes and ignores all sanctions, has bought at least 3 million barrels of Urals, and this is only the beginning (there is talk of volumes – more than 15 million barrels during the year); contracts are also being discussed with other countries in the region, including Indonesia. And, in all likelihood, Asia is likely to become the main market for Russian oil that used to go to Europe, experts say.
Consequently, this is a wake-up call for the European Union. No matter how much local politicians threaten to reject Russian oil, the dependence upon it is evident. For example, UK’s Shell has already claimed a $5bn loss because of its refusal to buy Russian oil and is looking for workarounds. This means that when emotions subside a little, including under the pressure of the protest movement of fellow citizens and rising prices (Saudi Arabia, for example, has already announced an increase in prices from May), Russia will have to go with its hand outstretched.
And it is not certain that Russia will then have the necessary number of spare barrels, given the arrangements with its Asian partners. And there is no one else to rely on, the same as in the gas situation. Qatar, on which liquefied natural gas was hoped for by Germany, is not trying to get ahead of the game. Saad al-Qaabi, head of the local energy ministry, was not being hypocritical, stating that his country was incapable of providing urgent assistance to Europe and that Russia “will not be replaced by anyone in the energy supply”.
Anna Ponomaryova, Donbass Analytical Service
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