Though officials had suggested earlier at the Brussels summit that no new sanctions were likely on Russia, today’s reports are claiming the US and EU have both agreed to “work together” on penning more sanctions.
President Obama addressed the matter, saying “isolation will deepen, sanctions will increase and there will be more consequences for the Russian economy.”
Though the US seems up for whatever, their trade with Russia is extremely limited, so they have few options to do anything themselves. The EU has much bigger trade ties with Russia, with nations like Germany hugely dependent on them for energy supplies.
Many in the EU are pretty supportive of the idea of more sanctions, but any such move needs to be unanimous, and several nations, led by Austria, are averse to the idea of more sanctions, fearing they will harm the European economy more than Russia’s.
several nations, led by Austria, are averse to the idea of more sanctions, fearing they will harm the European economy more than Russia’s.
I wonder how many of their citizens share the enthusiasm for the march to WW3 or even just the massive hike in energy bills once the Russians switch off the pipeline.
The Austrians are correct in their fears. They understand completely that if the Russians decide to cut off the flow of gas to the EU, it will be the politicians who will pay for their short-sightedness when the people they supposedly represent knock down their doors and demand answers, especially when next winter comes calling.