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Tone of Swedish EU presidency? More war with Russia

Saturday, 14 January 2023 3:13 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 14 January 2023 3:22 AM ]

Jerome Hughes

Press TV, Brussels

Stockholm's government has just taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union. It holds the position for the next six months and faces many challenges. Amid the conflict in Ukraine, the powers that be in Moscow have been singled out.

Many analysts say the EU has shot itself in the foot by provoking and isolating Russia, at Washington's behest. Accommodation, food and energy prices remain extremely high in the EU. The European Parliament has just published the results of a survey which shows 'cost of living' is the number one concern for citizens.

The EU has sent €50bn to Ukraine during the past ten months, mostly to provide deadly weapons. Critics say the West wants to feed the arms industry and then make huge profits for Western companies when it finally comes to picking up the pieces.

Anti-war activists say many problems could have been averted if Moscow's security concerns had been listened to by NATO and the EU.

Tourism industry representatives are asking the European Commission to intervene because, in some EU countries, one-third of all rooms offered by hotels and guesthouses are currently being occupied by Ukrainian refugees. There's concern the bloc's tourism sector will be decimated this summer if the issue is not resolved.

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