“Moscow is now playing a cynical game with food, the export of which it’s blocking, as well as with energy. This is a red line crossed by Vladimir Putin”
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, says Russian President Vladimir Putin crossed a “red line” when he resorted to food and gas blackmail. — Ukrinform reported citing Schallenberg’s interview with Profil.
“Moscow is now playing a cynical game with food, the export of which it’s blocking, as well as with energy. This is a ‘red line’ crossed by Vladimir Putin,” he said.
According to Schallenberg, it is noteworthy that “Moscow demands sanctions lift in order for Russia to supply gas again.” “And this is proof that sanctions are working. It’s like a cry from Moscow. In addition, Russia is doing something that even the Soviet Union didn’t do during the Cold War: it is proving to be a completely unreliable economic partner, and it is losing all trust,” said the head of the Austrian Foreign Ministry. He expressed hope that Putin’s gas blackmail will not work in Europe because the question now is whether the Western community can defend its values and way of life.
The Austrian minister also emphasized that Western democracies should prove Putin wrong when he considers them weak and incapable of acting as one. “We have to prove him wrong! We surprised him because we have been demonstrating unity for more than six months. Now we need strategic patience and nerves of steel,” said Schallenberg.
