Source: Global Times
On the 24th local time, EU diplomats once again tried to reach an agreement on a core measure of Western sanctions against Russia - setting a price ceiling for Russian oil. The day before, they had been meeting late into the night, but ended up with "too much disagreement". There is clearly a huge rift within the EU around relations with Russia. Since February 24, the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has lasted for nine months. However, the United States continues to arch the fire, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared in his latest statement that US military aid to Ukraine has reached an unprecedented level of about $19.7 billion. The European Union is moving forward with a ninth round of sanctions against Russia. "Nine months after the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, we are still discussing sanctions." French lawmaker Thierry Mariani warned, "What is left after the sanctions against Russia are exhausted?" Only war remains! ”
Poland insisted on $30 per barrel of oil
The Wall Street Journal reported on the 24th that European diplomats are negotiating a mechanism aimed at suppressing Russian oil revenues. They hope to put the mechanism in place by December 5 so that a cap on the price of Russian oil and the EU embargo on Russian oil will come into effect at the same time. The former will stipulate that the price of Russian oil must be lower than the set price, otherwise Russian oil transportation will not be able to obtain maritime services, such as finance and insurance in the Group of Seven (G7) countries.
The mechanism, which needs the support of all governments in the EU27, was originally scheduled to be finalized on the 23rd. However, according to Bloomberg, the New York Times and other US media reports, this measure promoted by the United States and pro-Ukrainian allies has suffered setbacks, and EU countries are seriously divided. Poland rejected the European Commission's offer of $65 a barrel, arguing that the exorbitant ceiling was too soft for Moscow. According to diplomats, Poland insisted on setting the price at $30 per barrel. Countries such as Greece, Cyprus and Malta, which have huge shipping industries, do not want oil prices below $70, and some even demand compensation for the loss of revenue their maritime operations may suffer. In addition, the Wall Street Journal said that Hungary is extremely reluctant to impose further sanctions on Russia.
According to Kommersant, this is part of an unprecedented attempt by the European Union and the United States to control the world's most important energy prices. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on the 24th that this plan of the West may bring "serious consequences" to the energy market. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Russia will not supply oil and gas to countries that enforce price limits.
Russia's "Viewpoint" said that everyone understands that if Russia cannot find other markets to sell its remaining oil, it will reduce exports, and both the United States and the European Union are worried about this. If Russia cuts exports, global oil prices will rise sharply. Russia will receive the same income as before with less supply, and inflation in the West will climb at an alarming rate.
On the 24th, the EU also held an emergency meeting of energy ministers in Brussels to discuss limiting the price of natural gas to reduce the impact of sharp price increases on people's lives. But some government representatives thought it "wouldn't work" and even called it "a joke." The Associated Press reported that at the day's meeting, countries failed to overcome serious differences. This suggests that the energy crisis, linked to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, has divided the EU into almost irreconcilable camps.
"The EU is fueling the escalation of the conflict"
In addition to limiting oil prices, the EU is also moving forward with a ninth round of sanctions against Russia. According to Reuters on the 24th, European Commission President von der Leyen revealed the news during a visit to Finland on the same day. "We are working to combat Russia's sore spots and further weaken its ability to wage war against Ukraine," she said. Von der Leyen did not provide further details on the specific content of the sanctions.
Russia's "Izvestia" reported on the 24th that French parliamentarian Thierry Mariani said that peace talks as soon as possible to end the conflict are in the interests of Russia and Ukraine and their people, as well as in the interests of France. But what is not normal is that the EU is contributing to the escalation of the conflict rather than seeking peace. Marine Le Pen, former leader of the French far-right National Alliance, said on the 23rd that France should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, especially the "Caesar" self-propelled howitzers, because this will damage France's own security, "All the weapons we transferred to Ukraine today are taken away from France."
Thierry Mariani in particular criticized the European Parliament for pushing Europe to war with Russia. What he said was the European Parliament voted on the 23rd to adopt a resolution recognizing Russia as a "state sponsor of terrorism". This approach has aroused strong dissatisfaction in Russia. Russia's "Viewpoint" reported on the 24th that Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova posted on Telegram: "The European Parliament passed a resolution identifying Russia as a 'terrorist financier'. I propose to identify the European Parliament as a 'funder of idiotism'. ”
The United States suffers "damage"
On the 23rd local time, US Secretary of State Blinken issued a statement on the State Department website saying that the United States continues to provide military assistance to Ukraine, and the latest round of $400 million military aid will include air defense equipment and additional weapons and ammunition. So far, since the Biden administration took office, the total amount of US military assistance to Ukraine has reached about $19.7 billion.
However, the United States is also paying the "price" for this. Today's Russian TV reported on the 24th that the continuous transfer of weapons to Kiev caused "damage" to US weapons stocks. Earlier this week, U.S. Army weapons acquisition chief Pipe Bush said the military was speeding up the process of arms procurement to make up for the shortage. But Pentagon documents recently seen by the New York Post show that replenishing the Army will take "years."
The New York Times reported the "side effects" of US military aid to Ukraine from another angle. The newspaper said on the 23rd that an American-made AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile launched by the Ukrainian army in the east of the country had injured 3 civilians. This is an example of the weapons supplied by the United States in relation to civilian casualties in this nine-month conflict. Despite the stalemate in Russia's ground operations in Ukraine, it continues to carry out fierce missile and drone attacks. In response, Ukraine relies heavily on air defense systems, some of which are supplied by Western allies.
The British magazine "New Statesman" said that the recent Polish missile incident exposed the hidden tensions between Ukraine and its Western supporters. Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on Feb. 24, the United States and its European allies have weighed how to allow Ukraine to defend itself without triggering a broader war. But the crisis has brought attention to the potential for the conflict to escalate beyond Ukraine, dragging NATO members into war.
【Global Times special correspondent in Russia and Germany, Sui Xin, Aoki, Chen Xin, Liu Yupeng】