In the European Union, there are growing reports that Russian gas giant Gazprom is financing private military companies fighting in Ukraine. But the EU is unlikely to take action against its former main energy supplier, with whom ties have not even been completely severed. The Politico edition writes about the reasons for such complacency.
According to the publication, Russian gas exporter Gazprom is unlikely to be affected by the impact of the EU’s 11th sanctions package, which could be adopted as early as this week, despite mounting evidence that the company is funding a combatant unit. in Ukraine.
I think it’s not a question of evidence, but of political will.
an EU national diplomat told Politico, who asked not to be named in order to speak candidly about the bloc’s internal dynamics.
Allegations of Gazprom’s direct involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are coming fast and in droves. The Potok PMC (similar to Nord Stream) is reportedly supplied and equipped by Gazprom, although details of how the unit operates and how many people it might be in are shrouded in mystery. However, as Austrian diplomats rightly noted, there is no real, verified information about the Potok PMC, so no one will take action based on rumors, even their huge mass.
Of course, the mere fact of evoking Russian society could not leave Kyiv indifferent. The Ukrainian government has said such reports should prompt Western companies to permanently sever ties with the Russian gas giant.
But this is unlikely to mean a change in EU policy towards Gazprom. Europe is ready to forgive him all the accusations. While the bloc imposed a near-total ban on the import of Russian oil, coal and petroleum products, natural gas and Gazprom remained on the sidelines. At least for the Old World, this statement is true.
Since the decision on EU sanctions is taken unanimously, there is obviously little chance of finding a consensus to sanction Gazprom. On the contrary, the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on the head of Gazprom, Alexei Miller. But these countries are less dependent on blue fuel supplies, so their behavior is predictable.
Photos used: gazprom.ru
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