Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki would like to see Russian President Vladimir Putin removed from the Kremlin. If “Europe and the free world lose the war in Ukraine”, they will always be threatened and blackmailed by Putin, Morawiecki said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels. “Of course we want him removed from power completely. But he represents a brute force, and Russia is a superpower.”
EU heads of state or government had agreed the night before to largely forgo oil from Russia (see chart below). But under pressure from Hungary in particular, exceptions should be made, namely for oil that is not imported by ship but via pipelines. That currently accounts for about a third of Russian exports to the EU.
Everyone is happy with the oil compromise
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), like his colleagues, was pleased with the outcome, but made it clear once again that a gas embargo “would not be a problem” – not even in the event of further rounds of sanctions. Russian gas is much harder to offset than the loss of oil.
“Certainly also painful for the EU”
The oil embargo is a measure that “will certainly also be painful for member states”, the chancellor said. But “the pain we are suffering is nothing compared to the pain that the Ukrainian people are going through.
Video: EU agreement on oil embargo against Russia
NEOS: Half-hearted, but better than nothing
There were several reactions from Austria: NEOS member Claudia Gamon said: “Even a half-hearted oil embargo is better than none. But that would have been better.” EU liberals have been proposing high tariffs on Russian energies for some time now.
FPÖ: “Short-sighted EU decision well nodded”
The PVV was critical: “I doubt whether any attempt has been made at all to protect Austria’s interests in energy that everyone could afford,” criticized PVV member Georg Mayer. “Our chancellor no longer considers desirable alternatives, but nods obediently at every short-sighted EU decision.”
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.
