Zakharova: Europe Is Paying the Price for Brussels’ “Stupidity and Betrayal,” Not for Its Reliance on Foreign Energy

Middle East News Network: Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Europe is paying a heavy price for the “stupidity and betrayal” of Brussels toward its own interests, not because of its reliance on foreign energy as the European Commission claims.
In a post on her Telegram channel, Zakharova cited a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said that the European Union is “paying a very high price due to its dependence on foreign energy.” Zakharova responded: “That is not the case. Rather, the European Union is paying an extremely high price due to the stupidity and the betrayal of Europe’s interests by the bureaucracy in Brussels.”
Earlier in the day, von der Leyen had warned that the crisis in the Middle East is having a massive impact on the EU economy, which has already paid a very high cost due to reliance on foreign energy. She revealed that EU countries have so far spent more than €22 billion in additional fuel imports since the escalation surrounding Iran began.
Von der Leyen added during a press conference that “the blockade imposed on the Strait of Hormuz is causing severe damage to the European economy,” noting that the continuation of this situation threatens to increase inflationary pressures and place further burdens on consumers and businesses across the continent.
This comes amid escalating tensions surrounding Iran, which have effectively led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital strategic passage through which the majority of oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from Gulf countries flow to global markets. This closure has directly impacted export and production levels in the region, leading to a surge in fuel prices in most countries worldwide, alongside concerns that these pressures on energy markets will persist in the coming weeks.
Last March, the newspaper Politico, citing EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen, reported that European Union countries should prepare for long-term disruptions in energy supplies due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Jørgensen pointed out that the easiest way to reduce fuel consumption lies in the transportation sector, by encouraging citizens to reduce travel and air flights.
Source: RT