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Monday, 20 December 2021 (YJC)_ The European Union (EU)'s foreign policy chief has called on Moscow to fulfill its gas commitments to the continent, as well as allegations that Russia is trying to influence European security and impose sanctions on the country.
EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell accused Russia on Sunday evening of seeking to "exclude" European countries from security talks, but expressed hope that the United States would not allow it.
Borrell claimed in a written statement:
It is not yet clear what Russia will ultimately achieve. We can not rule out the possibility that Russia could use this crisis for its stated purpose of restructuring the security system in Europe, as well as removing the Europeans from these talks.
According to the RIA Novosti website, he stressed that the European Union should take part in any negotiations on the European security structure, saying:
Obviously, the European Union must be an integral part of such talks.
On the other hand, while the European Union, led by the United States, is imposing various economic sanctions on Russia under various pretexts, the EU foreign policy chief called on Moscow to fulfill its obligations to supply gas to Europe.
According to the report, in an attempt to blacken Moscow's intentions, Borrell expressed concern that Russia, by refusing to increase gas supplies to Europe, would try to put pressure on the union, especially to ensure that the North Stream 2 project is approved.
According to RIA Novosti, he added:
Russia uses energy as a tool for political pressure (in Moldova, for example). Strictly speaking, Russia is living up to its gas supply commitments, but many believe that its refusal to increase exports to Europe or replenish its Gazprom reserves is a means of putting pressure on the European Union.
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