EU's 'Break Up with Russia' by 2027: A Masterclass in Prolonged Co-Dependence
Al Jazeera dutifully heralded the EU's agreement to phase out Russian gas by 2027, painting it as a firm stand against 'funding its war in Ukraine.' Critical observers might note that a 2027 deadline means three more years of significant revenue flowing into Moscow's coffers. This isn't a breakup; it's an extended engagement with benefits. Historically, such 'firm deadlines' for breaking strategic
dependencies often allow for plenty of political wrangling and gas price hedging while the supposed beneficiary nation continues to suffer. One might wonder if the EU's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty extends only as far as their next winter heating bill. How many more 'decisive' but deferred actions will it take before Russia's war effort finds itself truly starved of European cash? It
appears some 'steps towards' cutting funding are more like a leisurely stroll around the block.