Referring to this European Union decision, Mehdi Khorsand said in an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations website: “If this sanctions package is approved and implemented, it will be the 14th sanctions package of the European Union in which the embargo on the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Russia is proposed. “This issue was postponed or not done before at the request of some European countries.
He added, “Assessing the European Union’s actions against Russia since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, it seems that the recent sanctions package if implemented, is a new step on the part of the EU against Russia.” This issue can affect the various projects Russia has towards Europe, and it may also result in a strong reaction from Moscow.
Regarding the approval of this new package, this expert said: “The Russians have made very serious advances in the east of Ukraine, and almost the Ukrainian army is being destroyed in this region. For this reason, the Europeans have started working more seriously than before to put pressure on Russia.”
Pointing to the fact that even after the terrorist attack by Takfiris in Moscow, the Russians announced that Ukraine employed these Takfiris, Khorsand added: “The reason for this was that Kiev was in a very weak position. After this terrorist attack, they aimed to put Russia in a defensive mode at least and shift its focus inward. In fact, Ukraine’s goal was to divert Russia’s focus from attacks on the east of this country, but it did not succeed.
The expert on Caucasus issues emphasized: “Following these developments, the Americans approved one of the largest support packages for Ukraine, and Zelensky happily announced that if this support package reaches the hands of the Ukrainians sooner, the process of Russia’s advance on the Ukraine territory can be reversed.” ”
He continued: “Meanwhile, the Europeans took such action to avoid falling behind this caravan and supporting the Ukrainian front. In fact, we are now on the verge of summer, and maybe the Europeans want to force Russia to retreat before the cold season arrives.
Khorsand further explained: “Given this year’s US presidential elections and the country’s failure in the Russia-Ukraine war, it comes to mind that Washington and all its tools are at the disposal of Joe Biden’s foreign policy today to achieve a minimal victory on the Ukrainian front.”
In response to how effective this sanctions package is on Russia, this expert explained: “Usually every sanctions package needs an initiative to pass the sanctions. Undoubtedly, if this plan is approved, Russia, which relies on its natural gas exports, will face some problems. Because if this plan is approved, European countries should not buy liquefied natural gas from Russia. But Russia has also signaled that it can recover from any foreign stimulus on its economy.
He added, “It even seems that it will not take long for Moscow to be able to partially remove the consequences and effects of such sanctions. Because the Russians have been trying to have new marketing and find alternative routes during the last two years, Russia was especially able to find good markets for its exports with extensive discounts to China or some other countries. Therefore, it does not seem that the impulses of this EU resolution can cause Russia much trouble.”
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