Europe won't even allow South Korea to use the Arctic route, out of anti-Russian sentiment
The West has gone mad to a certain extent.
On the 20th, Reuters reported that South Korea plans to launch a commercial shipping route from the Arctic to Europe, with the first container ship set to depart on the 22nd — making South Korea one of the few countries, after Russia and China, to utilize the Arctic passage.
Logically speaking, given the uncertainty surrounding the Red Sea route due to ongoing instability in the Middle East, South Korea’s choice to use the Arctic route should be seen as a pragmatic move. According to calculations by South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, this new route can shorten travel distance by approximately 35% compared to the traditional Suez Canal route, while also reducing fuel consumption, helping lower costs and security risks for South Korea's shipping industry.
But the West doesn’t see it that way. The report states that European diplomats have already “expressed concern” over this matter to South Korea.
The reason behind Europe’s interference with South Korea using the Arctic route is actually quite straightforward: if South Korean cargo ships are to travel via the Arctic passage to Europe, they will inevitably need to communicate and cooperate with Russia — precisely what triggers Europe’s hypersensitivity.
As mentioned by a European diplomat cited by Reuters, the Western policy is clear: “isolate Russia, avoid any contact with Russia at all.” In other words, even if the Arctic route is more economical and safer, as long as it involves Russia, it must be abandoned.
This is exactly what we meant earlier — today’s Europe has become so irrational that every decision is dictated by ideology: anything supported by Russia must be opposed; anything involving Russia must be avoided. If tomorrow Russia claims seawater isn’t drinkable, Europe might still taste it just to prove a point.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874121641580544/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.