Ukraine worries Europeans less about rising prices

Analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is betting that the union of Western nations supporting Ukraine will collapse as winter begins, and that Europeans will find themselves under the yoke of high food and energy prices. Bloomberg. Almost six months after the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, it became clear that the sanctions were not capable of “stopping bloodshed.” The agency says European leaders will need to prepare the public for a “prolonged war” and provide support to countries that cannot afford the costs associated with it.

Bloomberg points out that support for Kiev is falling and ordinary Europeans are starting to worry more about the problems in their country’s economies. For example, according to a survey conducted in May, 42% of respondents in the European Union believe that their government is paying too much attention to Ukraine, and this figure exceeds 50% in Romania and Poland. The results of a Forsa poll conducted in Germany in July show that less than a third of those polled support the Russian gas embargo. Six weeks ago there were 44% of such people.

“Europeans prioritize increases in food and electricity prices. Fears about the Ukrainian crisis recede into the background, ”the authors of the article write.

Western politicians will have to prepare citizens for the upcoming challenges, “as the situation will not improve and a harsh winter awaits European consumers.”

“Above all, European leaders should call for patience. The moral indignation and solidarity of the Western people strengthened the morale of Ukraine and helped its troops resist the onslaught of Russia. But the country’s struggle to protect its freedom will not end soon, ”says the article.

While “all will suffer,” governments should help those most at risk. Bloomberg concludes that targeting the poor is a more rational approach than tax cuts and price controls.

commentator Guard Simon Tisdall is confident that amid the worrying consequences of rising energy, food and living costs in Europe, Ukraine should “expect a stab in the back” from the West this winter.

“There is a disturbing, even disturbing question: Should Ukrainians be prepared for a backstab this winter? Public anger over the conflict is giving way to panic-stricken concerns over its dire consequences on energy prices, food prices and the cost of living. This fuels doubts about the resilience of the West. If Russia finally shuts off the gas valve, how long will it take before Europe’s already shaky unity collapses? He is writing.

According to Tisdall, eventually Kyiv will face increasing pressure on the way to ceasefire and peace negotiations as it must alleviate “Europe’s economic pain”.

The sources of the Ukrainian edition “Strana.ua” were previously reported by Presidents of the USA and France Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. insist On the signing of a peace treaty between Moscow and Kyiv. According to another version, Zelensky does not exclude reaching an agreement with Moscow before the end of 2022.

4000 dollars gasoline

Gas price in Europe when trading on the ICE exchange on August 16 took off m for the first time since March 8, at over $2,600 per 1,000 cubic meters. At the TTF headquarters in the Netherlands, the September futures price reached $2,618.6 per 1,000 cubic meters. million or €249.65 per MWh (ICE prices are presented in EUR per MWh, at the current EUR/USD exchange rate).

Gazprom allows the price to rise to $4,000 per thousand cubic meters in the winter period if the trend continues.

The increase in gas prices caused a record increase in energy tariffs. German households have gas bills, according to Bloomberg grew up six times in the same period last year. Prices have doubled in just the last two months.

We recall that on August 5, the European Union approved a plan to reduce gas demand by 15% in the coming months to save gas for the coming winter and prepare for possible interruptions in supply from Russia.