The discrepancies on

what to do, how and when

with the

purchases of Russian oil and gas

are exposing the seams of the 27. Since the beginning of the war, the EU has boasted an unprecedented reaction, an agility never seen before and a powerful unit.

Five packages of sanctions

have already been launched

, published in the EU Journal and fully in force, and in a matter of days the process should be ratified for the

European Peace Facility

to

increase

the instrument to finance the

purchase (and delivery) of arms and ammunition to the Ukrainian army

.

But the elephant in the room for weeks is the

fossil fuels

.

Military aid exceeds one billion, but in the same period the member states have given more than 35,000 million euros to Moscow.

And the voices denouncing Putin's obscene "war financing" are ratcheting up the pressure.

There are several categories.

In the first is

Hungary

nothing else.

Viktor Orban

has not vetoed the sanctions packages, nor the use of the weapons purchase instruments (although he is not involved), but has made it clear that

he is against an embargo or a tax on oil and gas

.

He tolerated the coal approved last week, but there he has set his limit, and not because of dependency.

He thinks it's too much, that it's not a good idea, that enough has been done.

And he is also willing to pay for purchases in rubles and not in euros, as stipulated in the contracts.

In the following are the

supporters of the immediate cut and at a European level

.

The Baltics, Poland, Ireland

.

They want it and they want it now, without excuses and even if it causes a serious problem.

For their part, they have announced a total or partial disengagement in the coming months and are raising the tone, morally blackmailing their partners.

"What has to happen for the EU to decide on an embargo on oil, gas and other basic products?" Czech Foreign Minister

Jan Lipavsky

asked on Monday during the meeting of community leaders in Luxembourg.

"You have to go to Bucha to understand why we have to impose sanctions," added

Gabrielius Landsbergis

, from Lithuania.

"The EU must impose an immediate embargo on Russian oil," settled the Pole

Marcin Przydacz.

In between are those that

do not have a total dependence on Russian fossil fuels

, the Mediterranean countries

or the West.

Some, like

Ireland

, advocate immediate action.

"The European Union is spending hundreds of millions of euros to import oil from Russia, which certainly helps finance this war. We must stop this financing, even if it creates huge challenges and problems," Minister

Simon Coveney said.

The rest are generally with the majority and consensus.

They see the need, also the dangers and the economic consequences, and they waver.

They understand the dilemma, even the hypocrisy that can lie behind saying that the EU is doing and will do everything to help Ukraine.

But they use realistic approaches and emphasize that unity must first and foremost be preserved, like the

Dutchman Wopke Hoekstra.

Finally, the

deeply dependent ones, like Austria or Germany

.

The Austrian chancellor is precisely in Moscow this Monday to speak in person with Putin.

They have announced measures to reduce dependency, to bet on renewables and are even reviewing his position on abandoning nuclear power.

But they warn that

they cannot turn off the tap right now

, that the punishment for their citizens and companies would be very high.

And they ask for time.

His posture is modulating, and what a month ago seemed impossible now no longer.

It started with coal and now oil is on the table, more or less.

send weapons

The expression has generated problems these days.

The president of the European Commission,

Úrsula von der Leyen

, assured last week before the European Parliament that nothing could be left out, including oil and gas.

And the High Representative for Foreign Policy,

Josep Borrell,

assured on Friday from Kiev that the issue would be "on the table" at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting that took place this Monday in Luxembourg.

But it has not been that way.

The same Friday from the Foreign Action Service they indicated that there would be no proposal, that the debate is not mature enough.

And half a dozen diplomatic sources stressed it.

It's there, but not yet.

"We have discussed more sanctions. We knew that there is no agreement, but we have analyzed the levels of dependency of each country.

Without an agreement being necessary, all are already reducing that dependency.

They are already doing it. Some have said that they will not matter more, others that will reduce it. An embargo, taxes or limitation... we are not yet there for something collective. As soon as possible",

Borrell

, one of the engines of the community response since the invasion, assured at the end of the meeting.

The Spanish sometimes have their own rhythm, pushing even when there is no agreement.

Some capitals are irritated, others say "that's leadership."

He speaks on behalf of the EU, but not always on behalf of everything or summarizing the general sentiment.

This Monday, however, he held back.

"It is common sense: the war and the battles of the coming days and weeks are going to take place without sanctions, because they have medium-term effects. The Russian army will be the same in two weeks and will have the means to wage war as well." That is why

we have to concentrate on the defensive aspects

. I am not saying that the other ones, the sanctions, should not be done, but if we cut off the gas next week it does not mean that the Russians will stop fighting."

That is why he

advocates continuing to send aid and weapons.

And in that line is

Berlin

.

"One thing is very clear: Ukraine needs more military equipment, especially heavy weapons," Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

"Now is not the time for excuses, creativity and pragmatism are needed," he added, something peculiar since his chancellor, Olaf Scholz, still seems to doubt whether this heavy weaponry can include tanks or artillery for the great battle that is expected in the Dombás.

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  • Petroleum

  • Ukraine

  • Olaf Scholz

  • European Comission

  • Germany

  • Austria

  • Russia

  • European Union

  • Lithuania

  • Ireland

  • Poland