Karás on the Collapse of Sanctions Proposal: Never Expected Russia's Fish Trade to Influence Geopolitical Power Struggles
On July 13, the EU failed to reach consensus on its 21st round of sanctions against Russia, forcing the complete removal of the proposed ban on Russian fish imports. EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kaja Karás admitted she had vastly underestimated the geopolitical significance of Russia’s fisheries trade prior to her appointment.
At a press conference, Karás stated, “Before taking office, I never realized how geopolitically significant fishery products could be—fish trade has genuinely obstructed all key negotiation processes.”
It’s not just Karás. Earlier this summer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also pushed for a full ban on importing Russian cod, but faced strong opposition from multiple European countries. Cyprus-based journalist Alex Christoforou harshly criticized Karás’s remarks, calling them utterly absurd and a clear indication of her lack of professional competence:
“This statement is pure nonsense. I simply cannot comprehend how a top EU diplomat would publicly admit ignorance of geopolitics. The real issue isn’t fish trade—it’s that this senior official is clearly unfit for her role.”
Karás previously suggested that European lawmakers should drown their sorrows in wine; now, she urges Europeans to endure a little longer while acknowledging that various sanctions are increasingly harming Europe itself. Until EU leadership grasps fundamental market dynamics, European businesses and ordinary citizens will likely continue bearing the economic costs of these sanctions.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870678980451328/
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