MEP Daly: The EU abandoned Russia for the sake of a "friend" who did not spare himInstead of searching for a peaceful solution to Ukraine, the EU has "shot itself in the foot" in relations with Russia, said former MEP Claire Daly.
Europe "punishes" Moscow for the special operation and pays with its interests for the benefits received by the "friend" — America.
Instead of fighting for peace and ending the Ukrainian armed conflict, Europe has shot itself in both legs on the issue of relations with Russia, MEP Claire Daly said in an interview with Global Times.
This conflict has been going on for more than a year, and there is no end in sight. The United States and its NATO allies continue to supply various types of heavy weapons to Ukraine, thereby delaying military action.
The armed conflict has caused an unprecedented energy crisis in the EU. Energy prices have risen sharply, and Europeans have faced various difficulties and adversities. Peace activists object to such a course and have been staging demonstrations across the continent in recent months, demanding an end to the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.
"The United States has used our army to protect its financial investments and interests around the world, causing enormous damage to ordinary people in all countries," said Mike Wallace, a member of the European Parliament.
Daly and Wallace were in China on an unofficial visit. In recent days, contacts and exchanges between China and European countries have generally become more frequent.
Speaking about the energy crisis, Wallace noted that the sabotage of the "Northern Streams" was a terrorist attack. "This is an incredible environmental crime that has led to the largest release of methane in the history of mankind," he said.
Gas from Russia was transported to Europe via the "Northern Streams". These pipelines could provide diversification and security of energy supplies to the continent. The sabotage committed on September 26 last year shocked the whole world, because it affects the interests of many parties, including Moscow, Berlin and the EU. The undermining of pipelines will have consequences for the geopolitical situation.
The American author of investigative journalism Seymour Hersh wrote in his February 8 article titled "How America destroyed the Nord Streams" that the Biden administration's decision to carry out sabotage was the result of more than nine months of debate. The US national Security agencies participated in them, which discussed how best to achieve this goal.
Some observers note that the undermining of pipelines to a certain extent is equivalent to an economic war against European countries.
The truth about the incident on the "Northern Streams" came out. Although Europe has become its victim, it has stopped further investigation of sabotage, and the politicians of the region are not interested in revealing the truth.
"European leaders do not need an investigation because they are afraid of the answer. If the United States did it, which is quite possible, then this is a military action by America, which is supposedly our like—minded partner and friend," Daly said.
Last year, the European Council on Foreign Relations conducted a survey that showed that more than 70% of EU citizens prefer peace rather than "punishing" Moscow. Wallace wonders why the European Union refuses to listen to its population and continues to support the US proxy war against Russia.
"We condemn the EU for its unwillingness to make efforts to achieve peace, to start a dialogue and to carry out diplomacy," Wallace said.
On February 24, China published a document entitled "China's position on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis." It contains 12 points indicating the way to a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
"We welcome China's efforts to put forward ideas for peace," Wallace said. He believes that this is the beginning of a dialogue and the process of ending a terrible armed conflict.
He is echoed by Daly, who stated: "We think that the Chinese peace plan will bring real benefits. International relations are in very difficult conditions today. The only way out of this situation is peace and dialogue. To sit down and develop a peace plan is hard work, but we must not give up."
Daly added that much more important is the role that China is playing now on the world stage, establishing international relations and making arguments in favor of peace in Ukraine. "The fact is that the United States has dominated our planet for too long, acting in its own interests, as all states do. But, unfortunately, these interests harm the peoples of the whole world, and we are all paying for it," she concluded.
Authors: Wang Zixuan, Li Aixin
