The EU is taking heavy sentences against Russia, but the war that has been raging in Ukraine for more than six months has not been able to put an end to it. Solidarity bursts.
“I am here with you in Kiev today to send a clear signal that the European Union is on your side,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during her visit to Kiev in April.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has imposed numerous harsh sanctions on the warmonger, including freezing assets, imposing import and export restrictions, closing airspace and ports, and banning Russian banks from the international payment system SWIFT. An agreement concluded with Russia to facilitate the issuance of visas was recently agreed to end.
Right-wing parties demand sanctions
But European solidarity is increasingly erupting. Right-wing parties demand the end of the sanctions, the feminist Alice Schwarzer demanded an end to the arms supplies, in Austria President of the Economic Chamber Harald Mahrer called the sanctions against Russia “only with half the brain”, the governor of Upper Austria Thomas Stelzer agreed, as did Tyrol’s ÖVP chief Anton Mattle.
However, the sanctions are working, as all the figures show – Russia’s gross domestic product is likely to fall by more than 11 percent this year and inflation will rise to 22 percent.
End of sanctions would fill Putin’s war chest
But of course there is also a downside: the sanctions are not only affecting the Kremlin, but also the European countries, and prices are rising dramatically in some cases. In addition, Russia has found many ways to circumvent the imposed measures. For example, experts assume that Russian oil deals will continue despite the embargo, secret foreign exchange purchases are intended to strengthen the ruble and oligarchs are playing tricky hide-and-seek with their luxury yachts.
Meanwhile, the destruction and killings continue in Ukraine and there is still no end to the war in sight. But it is also clear that an end to sanctions would flush Russia even more money into the war coffers.
Russia as a threat: Europe is arming itself
The attack on Ukraine is a painful reminder for Europe that the peace of recent decades has been treacherous. The EU rearms, with rare agreement it was decided to significantly increase defense spending. German Foreign Minister Baerbock stressed: “This Russia will remain a threat to peace and security in Europe for the foreseeable future.”
Sweden and Finland have responded and given up their neutrality, they are moving towards NATO. Even in Austria, where neutrality is a sacred cow, there are a few discussions about defense policy.
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.
