Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees the further throttling of Russian gas supplies to Europe as a form of Moscow’s “terror” against the West. “And this is an open gas war that Russia is unleashing against a united Europe,” said Zelenskyy in his evening video message on Monday.
Russia is deliberately making it difficult for Europe to prepare for the winter. The country is showing once again that it is not interested in the fate of the people. The country is making people starve due to the blockade of Ukrainian grain exports and suffer from the cold, poverty and occupation.
“These are just different forms of terror,” said Zelenskyj, referring to the announcement by the Russian gas company Gazprom that it would cut supplies through the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1 to 20 percent of capacity from Wednesday. Gazprom gave the reason that another gas turbine had to be repaired.
This is another threat for Europe, said Selenskyj. That is why the West must strike back. Instead of thinking about returning the gas turbine that has already been repaired, sanctions against Russia should be further tightened, he said. “Do everything possible to reduce Russia’s revenues not only from gas and oil, but also from other exports that remain,” said Zelenskyy.
He warned that any further trade relationship is a “potential means of pressure on Russia”. Russia has long had a reputation for using its gas as a “geopolitical weapon.” (dpa)
According to a report, ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) traveled to Moscow again. The broadcasters RTL and ntv reported on Monday that he had stayed at a hotel in the city center of the Russian capital. When asked what he was doing there, the chancellor said: “I’m going on vacation here for a few days. Moscow is a beautiful city.”
According to the information, Schröder’s hotel is not far from the headquarters of the Russian oil company Rosneft. The former chancellor decided in May to give up his position on the supervisory board there and also declared that he would not accept an offered position on the supervisory board of the Russian gas company Gazprom. (AFP)
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants to set a good example when it comes to saving electricity in view of the impending energy shortage. His official residence in Berlin, Schloss Bellevue, is usually no longer illuminated at night. This only happens on special occasions such as state visits, said a spokeswoman for the German Press Agency in Berlin. The representative lighting of the castle facade was switched off in May, the lighting of the outdoor area was limited to the level required for safety reasons. (dpa)