The Russian government hopes for a harsh winter with energy shortages in Europe. That could increase pressure on Ukraine to end the war on Russian terms, two Kremlin insiders now say. The Russian government has repeatedly denied charges of using energy as a weapon.
“We have time, we can wait. It will be a difficult winter for Europeans,” said a source close to Russian authorities. There may be protests and riots. Some government leaders could reconsider energy shortages, cut aid to Ukraine and push for a deal with Russia. This gives hope that the Ukrainian government will ask for peace.
unity is crumbling
A second Kremlin-environment insider said that in Moscow it is already being noted that the unity of Europeans is crumbling. In winter this can increase in case of emergency. The Russian government initially did not comment on the statements. She had recently repeatedly objected to the use of energy as a weapon.
The German government accuses the Kremlin of political reasons for the lack of gas supplies. Due to the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, these are currently only one fifth of the total capacity. As reported, deliveries will soon be completely shut down for a number of days due to maintenance.
Six months after the start of the war, the Kiev government refuses to negotiate with Moscow. The condition for a start is that the Russian army must withdraw completely from the country. This also applies to the Crimean peninsula, which has been under Russian control for a long time. According to US officials, there is no evidence that support for Ukraine is declining. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that the support would continue for as long as necessary.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
