The new package of sanctions on Russia that the EU is preparing will result in sharp rise in gas pricesthe Kremlin said this Saturday, stating that any measure would act as a backfire on European industry and which would ultimately only benefit the United States.
It is expected that in the next package of measures, the European Commission will propose restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas for the first time. Under discussion is a possible ban on transshipments in the EU and restricted measures in relation to three Russian natural gas explorations, EU sources told Reuters on Thursday.
“Attempts to expel Russia from energy markets and move to more expensive markets continue”, countered Dmitry Peskov, speaking to journalists. The Kremlin spokesman argued that any new EU restrictions would only benefit the United States and would mean that European industry would pay more for its gas.
“Of course, in any case, we will look for ways to overcome these illegal obstacles, unfair competition and illegal actions,” Peskov added.
China is Russia’s “close partner”
Regarding the trip to China by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, the Kremlin chose to devalue it, highlighting that ties with Beijing will not be broken.
Peskov guaranteed that China “is our close partner” and that relations between the two countries will intensify in the future. “We will further develop our cooperation.”
Asked about US pressure on China, Putin’s representative declared that “China is an absolutely sovereign statea powerful State that is capable of defending and protecting its interests”.
Antony Blinken raised concerns on Friday about China’s support for Russia’s military, presenting it as a factor that threatens to undermine the recent improvement in relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Despite your “boundless” partnership with Moscow, China avoided supplying weapons for Russia’s war in Ukrainebut Blinken said his supply of so-called dual-use goods was “having a concrete effect in Ukraine.”
Regarding the possibility of a truce with Ukraine, Moscow considers that there are no conditions for dialogue because, says the Kremlin, Kiev does not want to sit at the negotiating table.
