OREANDA-NEWS. European states, including Germany, fear that sanctions against Russia will lead to negative consequences for the economy of the European Union (EU). As noted by the Handelsblatt observers Klaus Stratmann and Moritz Koch, in Europe they accuse Moscow of using artificially created energy shortages to their advantage.

The shortage of fuel in Europe in the Russian Federation is considered as a special type of "weapon", the article says.

It is clarified that the "European bureaucracy" during the meetings in Brussels did not exclude the possibility that Europe could use such a "weapon" against Russia.

In addition, Berlin is concerned that anti-Russian restrictions will return like a boomerang and harm the EU countries.

On December 20, the cost of gas futures broke a historical record, having risen above $ 2 thousand. Although on December 28, fuel fell in price to $ 1160 per 1,000 cubic meters. m., Europeans in social networks continue to reproach their leaders for "outrageous" gas prices, the article says.

In addition, the concern of European politicians is growing as less and less fuel remains in underground storage facilities: as of December 27, 43.1% of the volume pumped this year was taken from them.

Journalists doubt that the EU has enough resources to wage an "economic war" against Russia. Germany continues to depend on Moscow for the supply of hydrocarbons, which the country's industry also needs.

“This is a reality Germany - an industrialized but not resource-rich country - must accept,” Stratmann and Koch argue.

Pressure on Europe on blocking the launch of the Russian pipeline Nord Stream 2 (SP-2) is mainly exerted by Washington, the newspaper stressed.

Handelsblatt reported that the German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock is the proponent of this idea in the FRG.