The theme of the stop to imports of energy from Russia, which has so far remained under the radar since the beginning of the invasion decided by Putin against Ukraine, enters the debate of Italian politics: it is the effect of the shocks for the images of the massacre of civilians in Bucha, a town in the north-west of the Ukrainian capital.
While the EU announces new sanctions coming to Moscow, the secretary of the Democratic Party, Enrico Letta, is asking for an embargo on Russian oil and gas with a few lines written in English on Twitter: “How many #Bucha before we move to a full oil and gas Russia embargo? Time is over “(” How many Buchas before moving towards a full Russian oil and gas embargo? Time is up “). An issue that immediately garnered the approval of Pier Ferdinando Casini: “You are right (you’re right)” is his response to Letta’s tweet, but for now there is no support in the Government that wants to discuss new sanctions only in concert with Europe.
Letta and the Italian money used for armaments
The hypothesis of a halt to energy imports from Moscow – a decision made so far in the European Union only by Lithuania and outside the EU by the US and Great Britain – had already been hypothesized by Letta a few days after the start of the conflict in Ukraine. “The war is a unique, unexpected event and Russia is the largest producer and supplier of gas, gas that passes through Ukraine – said the former premier on 10 March 2022 -. At this stage, to be consistent with the sanctions, we must go as far as stopping Russian oil and gas. Otherwise our money is used for armaments ». The images of the atrocities carried out in Bucha by the Russians prompted the democratic secretary to explicitly ask for an embargo on Russia.
First opening from Berlin
An important opening comes from the German government, through the mouth of the Berlin Minister of Defense. The EU, Christine Lambrecht said in an interview with the public broadcaster Ard, should discuss a halt to the import of Russian gas. “There has to be an answer. Such crimes must not go unanswered, ”she added, according to what the Defense Ministry reported on Twitter.
Calenda: ok with Letta but do you know how to replace him?
«These declarations Enrico are beautiful. But do you also have a plan to replace it immediately? Because until a month ago you were against any investment in gas and I have not heard you say anything about the use of coal. It’s time to make serious proposals “urges the leader of Action, Carlo Calenda.