In the first session of the Brussels summit, the leaders of European countries reached an agreement that provides for a partial embargo on Russian oil imports, according to what the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced.
European attempts to ban Russian oil imports… Countries disavow and others warn of their repercussions
The sixth package of sanctions approved by the West under US directives, includes the separation of the Russian “Sberbank” from the “Swift” system, the ban on broadcasting of three Russian TV channels in the Union, and the imposition of sanctions on Russian persons.
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “by the end of the year the European Union will reduce its imports of Russian oil by 90%.”
On the other hand, Hungary refused to abide by what the Europeans approved in their meeting, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his country does not abide by the partial embargo on oil imports from Russia.
German Vice-Chancellor, Economy Minister Robert Habeck, also questioned the effectiveness of the embargo imposed on importing oil from Russia, explaining that the embargo led to higher prices in the global market, and thus Russia made gains with less sales.
Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, stressed that Russia will find other importers, pointing to the contradiction of European statements, and the rapid change of thinking, which shows that the European Union is not in a good condition.
Hilal Al-Obaidi, writer and political analyst, said that what is happening is an economic battle and a finger-biting battle in order for Europe to avoid entering into a direct battle with Russia, and to avoid a third world war, so economic sanctions remain the only option before the European Union.
Al-Obaidi stated that “the issue of sanctions will be sustainable and there is no way to go back after imposing all these packages of sanctions, and in parallel there are realignments in the energy market on the basis of political positions.”
French demands to maintain dialogue with Russia and work on common issues while preserving national sovereignty
The French Foreign Ministry stressed the need to maintain dialogue with Russia, in order to convey its position and work together on specific issues.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that President Macron supports dialogue with President Putin, pointing out that the dialogue channel is not only useful, but also necessary to transfer positions and work on outstanding issues.
A few days ago, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked President Vladimir Putin to allow the export of Ukrainian grain from Odessa through the Black Sea. Macron and Schulz emphasized that any solution to the crisis must be negotiated between Moscow and Kiev.
Abdelhakim Fanoush, writer and political analyst, said that France is seeking so that war and sanctions are not the only way to confront Russia, but that there must be a way out of a settlement by sitting with Russia, which is always confirmed by President Macron, and although France provides Ukraine with weapons, Paris does not see This is an obstacle to a peaceful settlement.
Finnoush added that the decision in this crisis is not purely French, and not with such a degree of force and influence that could make it a key factor in change, but things are developing and Paris does not want in any way to deviate from the European track, but matters are actually in the hands of the United States, NATO and the European Union.
Tunisian President Kais Saied rejects the report of the Venice Commission and demands the expulsion of its members from the country
Tunisian President Kais Saied rejected the Venice Commission’s report, which was issued last week, and criticized the procedures for amending the electoral commission’s statute.
Saied described the report as a blatant interference in Tunisia’s internal affairs, warning that sovereignty is not subject to bargaining, and that any party that accepts interference in Tunisian sovereignty is an agent and a traitor, noting that the members of the committee present in the country are persona non grata.
The Venice Commission’s report was issued last week in response to an urgent request from the European Union delegation in Tunisia, on the extent to which President Kais Saied’s decisions regarding the organization of a referendum and the revision of the updated law of the Electoral Commission conform to the constitution and the legislative framework.
In its report, the committee found that the presidential order is not in conformity with the constitution, nor with presidential order No. 117 of 2021, nor with international standards in this regard. The committee stressed that “legislative elections must be held as soon as possible in order to reconstitute Parliament, before the referendum is organized.
Tunisian political analyst, Mohamed Bououd, said, “The Venice Commission is advisory, and Tunisia’s exit from it or its entry into it will not add anything, and today the last exit, I think, was an exaggerated response by the President of the Republic, and it could have been reported through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any employee in the presidential palace.” .
He explained, “It seems that there are issues that we do not know that made the President of the Republic take this decision, which in the end is not a gain for Tunisia and not a loss.”
He added with promises that the relationship between Tunisia and the European Union does not appear to be at its best, regardless of Tunisia’s exit from the Venice Commission, although there are a number of European countries behaving in a hostile manner and keen to meet President Said’s opponents, and they have begun to interfere in Tunisian affairs, but perhaps Exiting the committee further muddies the matter.