Austria says they will say a clear “no” to the idea of ​​sanctions on Russian gas

VIENNA, 22 Sep – PRIME. Austria will say a clear “no” to proposals for gas sanctions against the Russian Federation, the already adopted EU sanctions packages are comprehensive and may require clarification, said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

“I have said in the past that we should discuss this (possible tightening of sanctions – ed.) in an appropriate way, namely behind closed doors, but yes – we have already adopted six large-scale sanctions packages, and now we can think about closing the loopholes “, clarifications. But further steps, primarily in the energy sector, with regard to gas – here from Austria there will be an even “no”. The packages already adopted are comprehensive,” the minister said in an interview with the ORF television channel, answering the question whether Vienna’s position has changed regarding the possible strengthening of sanctions against Russia.

According to the minister, it is necessary to ensure that “we ourselves are not drawn into the war”, therefore the EU tactics towards Russia “have been correct so far, we need to continue to follow it.”

The European Commission is preparing new sanctions against Russia, and may discuss this proposal with the permanent representatives of the EU countries on Friday, Politico reported earlier, citing European diplomats. The day before, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, threatened Russia with new sanctions in the event of referendums in the LPR, DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.

The public chambers of the DPR and LPR on Monday appealed to the heads of the republics Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik with the initiative to immediately hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation. The appeal is currently under consideration by the heads of the DPR and LPR. On Tuesday, the public council of the Kherson region addressed the head of the region with the same proposal. Later, a request to hold a referendum on joining Russia as soon as possible was also addressed to the head of the administration of the Zaporozhye region, Yevgeny Balitsky, such a statement was received from the chairman of the movement “We are with Russia” Vladimir Rogov and other members of the movement.

As representatives of the regions emphasized in their appeals, joining the Russian Federation will secure their territories and restore historical justice. In their opinion, this decision is extremely necessary in the context of constant acts of terror by the nationalist authorities of Ukraine and NATO members, who supply weapons to kill civilians.