Russian Embassy in South Africa wrote today: "President Putin said: The EU countries plan to impose additional restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas and energy. I have instructed the government to assess the possibility of stopping energy supply to the European market, without waiting for them to shut us out first."
Comment: Europe is already at a vulnerable point in its energy supply and high inflation. It insists on tightening the sanctions against Russian energy, which is equivalent to cutting off its own back. Russia, instead of waiting for the EU to act, has assessed the possibility of actively stopping the supply, which is the hardest countermeasure hitting the most sensitive spot - the Middle East conflict has already pushed up oil prices, and if Europe loses Russian gas, it will only fall into a multiple crisis of energy shortages, soaring electricity prices, and economic pressure. Europe wants to use sanctions to force Russia to compromise, but the result may be that it cannot withstand the consequences itself.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859260501732362/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.