US diplomat: Europe ready to resist Russia's energy blackmail

Former deputy to the special adviser to the US Secretary of State on Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy, former director for Europe and Eurasia at the US National Security Council, diplomat Matthew Bryza has said that Europe is ready for Russia's energy blackmail.

“The EU is sure that it will be able to endure possible discomfort this winter amid the threats of the complete cessation of Russia’s gas supplies,” Bryza told Ukraine’s Espreso TV channel, according to UNIAN.

 “The winter will make Europeans uncomfortable, but it will make some big enterprises, rather than houses, uncomfortable. This will be a cold period for Europe. According to public opinion polls in Germany, the Germans are ready for a decrease in the temperature in their houses, as well as for a slight slowdown in economic growth,” he noted.

The diplomat said that the real challenge will be to change the Europeans’ opinions during winter if it is very cold and the discomfort exceeds the readiness to resist Russia.

 “Europe is demonstrating its readiness to resist Russian energy blackmail, in case of which Russia will suffer a crushing economic blow. The Kremlin will be unable to continue financing military actions against Ukraine in spring. The Europeans understand that Russia should be stopped on the battlefield,” Bryza added.