Fuel prices at a petrol station in Munich, Germany. Archival photoMOSCOW, 17 Jun. Russia should not be blamed for the situation with high prices and energy shortages, since the Western countries themselves created all the conditions for the crisis, Gabor Steingart, Focus columnist, is sure. The anti-Russian alliance formed after the start of the special operation in Ukraine turned out to be much smaller and weaker than expected in the West, his second «shot» hits himself, the author writes. The journalist lists seven reasons why the unity of the West is cracking at the seams. The main mistake Steingart called the West's belief that Russia can be forced to concede with economic sanctions. As a result, the restrictions not only failed to achieve the goals of Europe and America, but also dealt a much greater blow to them themselves. The second miscalculation is Russia's colossal reserves of oil and gas, on which all Western well-being depends so much. Poland, Finland and the Netherlands are already without Russian gas.Asia Times: Biden trapped over Ukraine The third mistake is the high potential for harm to those who imposed sanctions. The author cited the situation with Siemens turbines for the Nord Stream gas pipeline as an example. The mechanisms are being repaired in Canada and may not be delivered to Russia due to restrictions. As a result, the pumping of fuel through the pipe is significantly reduced. The next problem for the West is the ban on insurance of Russian oil tankers. It is noted that, compared with the difficulties for Russia because of this decision, where big troubles await the countries that have introduced restrictions, raw materials on world markets will rise sharply. Another point that Western countries have lost sight of is the emergence of new markets for its raw materials. The sixth reason for the failure is China's refusal to turn its back on Russia. Moreover, the two countries continue to maintain contacts and cooperation at the same level.Europe's secret demands on Zelensky are revealedFinally, the author called the unwillingness of developing countries to support anti-Russian measures as the seventh problem. Steingart came to the conclusion that the West itself is to blame for the current crisis, from which only arms manufacturers and oil companies benefit. special operations of the Russian army for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. So, Russian reserves were frozen in the amount of about 300 billion dollars. Calls to abandon Russian energy sources have also become louder. However, the disruption of supply chains led to economic problems in Europe and the United States, primarily to an increase in food and fuel prices. The Kremlin called the sanctions an economic war, the likes of which have never been seen before. The authorities stressed their readiness for such a development of events and assured that they would continue to fulfill social obligations. The Central Bank is taking measures to stabilize the situation on the foreign exchange market. The authorities also transferred payments for gas to unfriendly countries into rubles. In addition, the government has prepared a plan to counter the restrictions, which includes about a hundred initiatives. The volume of its financing will be about a trillion rubles.
