The recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine is no longer the center of attention of EU . New problems have emerged one after another, making European Commission President von der Leyen and various member states busy. Differences within the EU are becoming increasingly serious, and some member states are openly opposing EU policies.
von der Leyen and EU Foreign Minister
"North Stream" natural gas pipeline was blown up by unknown forces, European countries smelled a huge crisis, which is more terrifying than the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. If you are not careful, European countries will face collapse. This is not an alarmist statement, but some countries have begun to be self-centered.
Recently, Slovak Prime Minister Edward Hegel made it clear that of the approximately 140 billion euros taxes expected to be imposed by the EU on energy companies in member states, Slovak can only get 115 million euros, but based on the population ratio, Slovakia should have received 1.5 billion euros in tax revenue.
Slovak Prime Minister Hegel
Some small countries believe that the distribution of the EU is unfair and is a typical "robbing the poor and helping the rich". It is obvious that major EU countries such as Germany and France have gained more benefits. In addition, Edward Hegel said that Slovakia has signed a 2023 power supply contract with some EU countries, but the sales price is far lower than the current electricity price level.
In response, the Slovak government warned that Slovakia may stop supplying power to other EU countries if it does not receive more help from the EU in coping with soaring energy prices.
Slovakia believes that it would rather make less money than support other EU member states, but the EU has not "superiored the same as a bowl of water", which has harmed the interests of small countries such as Central and Eastern Europe .
Not only that, the Gazpromise company suddenly stopped supplying gas to Italy on the grounds that the operator of Austrian did not determine the operating requirements according to the contract and was unfavorable supervision. Gazprom could only terminate the contract and re-discuss with Italy how to resolve the problem.
It is obvious that after European countries felt that they could not count on the "North Stream" pipeline for gas supply this year, member countries set up their own small plans. The Austrian government wants to intercept more natural gas and charge more tolls, which will inevitably affect the natural gas supply in other countries such as Italy.
Of course, European countries can continue to spend a lot of money to buy liquefied natural gas from the United States. But Russia has threatened the United States, which may exacerbate the natural gas crisis in Europe.
Zakharova
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zakharova issued a tough warning to the United States, "If the evidence proves that the "North Stream" natural gas pipeline was blown up by the United States, then the natural gas ships shipped to Europe in the United States will suffer a "destructive" blow!"
Merkel
Just as former German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, European countries must pay attention to the warning issued by Russia because the Russian leader does what he said. Russia has never been ambiguity in safeguarding national interests, and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is a living example. In February this year, Russian President Putin decisively launched a special military operation to attack Ukraine after warning Western countries that it was invalid, very firm.
Gone are the era when Western countries used to force other countries to obey the Western will by "fighting, killing, killing," and force other countries to obey the will of the West. If European countries continue to invade the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the one that suffers the biggest losses in the end will definitely be the entire Europe, and "economic collapse, internal divisions, and national chaos" may occur.
If Russia punches, it will not be easily taken back. If the Russian-Ukraine conflict is not ended, Europe will be turned upside down.
