Russian ambassador threatens EU with fuel freeze
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War fears have skyrocketed with Russia massing tens of thousands of troops near its border with Ukraine. Moscow is locking horns with NATO, demanding wide-ranging guarantees from the West including a pledge its neighbour never be allowed to join the defence alliance. Russia has denied it has any plans to attack its neighbour as Western powers threaten Mr Putin’s country with crippling economic sanctions if an invasion does take place.
Both the US and Britain have started sending more arms to Ukraine, with thousands of troops from both countries understood to be on standby.
But some leading NATO members, particularly Germany, have come under attack for not following other Western countries in sending Kyiv lethal weapons to defend itself against a possible attack.
Nile Gardiner, a foreign policy analyst and former aide to Margaret Thatcher, warned the West making concessions to Russia over Ukraine will prove to be “very dangerous”.
He also warned if the West fails to flex its muscles here, President Putin could turn his attention to NATO countries.
Mr Gardiner told Express.co.uk: “If Russia gets away with invading and occupying large parts of the Ukraine, in addition to Crimea, they could set their sights next on the Baltic states.
“It is very dangerous for the West to make any concessions over Ukraine.
“If the West does nothing here, Putin could test the waters with NATO countries next.”
The foreign policy expert also launched a furious attack against both Germany and France, accusing both of not doing enough to stand up to Russia or defend NATO territory.
Halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline into Europe remains a key sanction the West could hit Russia with, but that could trigger a gas supply crisis that has sent energy prices throughout the continent soaring.
Germany is supplying just 5,000 military helmets to Ukraine to help defend against a possible Russian attack – an offer Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko called “a joke” that left him “speechless”.
Earlier this week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his country’s record on supporting Ukraine.
He told a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron: “We have done a great deal to actively support economic development and democratic development in Ukraine,” adding there were historical reasons for Germany’s refusal to send lethal weapons to war zones.
Last week, Mr Macron urged fellow EU member states to work together to draw up proposals for a new security deal with Russia involving a “frank dialogue” with Moscow.
But Mr Gardiner raged: “It strikes me that some NATO members, such as Germany, won’t lift a finger even to defend NATO territory.
“The Germans are in a terrible mode towards the Russians and won’t stand up to Putin.
“This makes the situation even more dangerous.
“Macron wants a security pact between the EU and Russia but this is horrifying to see all of this.
“This is exactly what Putin wants to hear and he sees the Germans and French as completely weak and furious.
“He also sees Joe Biden as a very weak link as well.”
On Friday, Russia sent its strongest signal yet it is willing to engage with the West by insisting it does not want a war over Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “If it depends on Russia, then there will be no war. We don’t want wars.
“But we also won’t allow our interests to be rudely trampled, to be ignored.”
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