After the atrocities of the war in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, the West prepares even tougher sanctions against Russia. In addition to the EU, the group of seven major industrialized nations (G7), of which Germany currently presides, is also involved. According to Brussels diplomats, the European Commission intends to present a proposal for tougher sanctions soon – the details are not yet known.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had already spoken of “war crimes” and called for new sanctions, as did French President Emmanuel Macron. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss wants to call for tougher punitive measures against Russia during her upcoming visit to Poland on Monday. An immediate gas and oil embargo, as demanded by Ukraine and imposed voluntarily by the Baltic States, is considered unlikely. Germany and Austria in particular are against it.
At a press conference on Monday, Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler expressed “scepticism” about such an embargo. She would also be speechless in the face of pictures of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s terrible war of aggression, she emphasized. But: “Austria is disproportionately dependent on Russian natural gas supplies.”
80 percent come from Russia
Participation is 80%, although it has not been reduced in the past, but has actually increased. The initial situation is difficult, also because Austria does not have access to the sea, for example for liquefied natural gas (LNG). German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) used similar words: They reject an immediate embargo on Russian energy, but they are working for independence. However, Habeck agreed to support the delivery of weapons without restrictions.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) said in the “Ö1-Mittagsjournal”: “We have always said when it comes to sanctions that they should hit those who are targeted and not fall on us like a boomerang.” This would be the case for gas deliveries. However, they are working on another ban package. In addition to a gas embargo, there are “enough other options where we can tighten the sanctions screw,” he said.
Kogler wants export restrictions
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) called the events at Butscha “obviously dramatic and terrible war crimes”. Immediate access is required for the UN Human Rights Office to record evidence. “These things need to be clarified in the appropriate courts. The second thing, of course, is that the sanctions packages are now being massively reinforced again. We are already in discussions with other European governments.”
Kogler sees opportunities for new sanctions from Russia in export restrictions and technology import restrictions for Russia. Sanctions would now be “prepared very quickly”. Austria is in exchange with Germany, looks good for European unity.
Also Germany against the embargo
Austria is 100 percent on Germany’s side on this issue, Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) said ahead of a Eurogroup meeting on Monday in Luxembourg. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) also spoke out again against an immediate energy embargo.
According to Brunner, sanctions only make sense if they don’t affect you more than the person who should be affected. You have to keep a cool head, especially in a gas embargo.
Brunner said that Austria, like Germany, is heavily dependent on Russian gas. The medium-term goal is to become more independent. “But it would be unrealistic to say that we could change overnight.” Instead, he suggested expanding the list of sanctioned individuals and organizations.
The Russian “extermination campaign” must no longer be accepted.
Vedran Dzihic, senior researcher at the Austrian Institute of International Affairs (OIIP), speaks in the PULS 24 interview for the “last step”, an oil and gas embargo. Now it is necessary to flee from any “appeasement policy” and “can no longer accept” events like Bucha’s in the 21st century. In addition, one can sharpen the oligarchs and the banks.
A gas embargo is tricky, you have to cushion the social consequences, but it’s now clear that “change through trade” has failed, Dzihic said. People have been counting on this for a long time, although the signs of Putin’s “aggressive” and “imperialist” policies have been known since the wars in Chechnya, Georgia and Syria.