The EU hopes that Russia "respect" gas sales contracts, but ensures that it is prepared for everything

Latest news on the war between Russia and Ukraine

Sep. 3 () –

The EU Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, assured this Saturday that Brussels expects Russia to “respect” the contracts for the sale of natural gas after the announcement this Friday of the indefinite cut of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, but has argued that the EU “is ready” for any eventuality.

“We hope that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will respect Russia’s contracts, but even if he does not, the EU is ready,” he said from the town of Cernobbio, in northern Italy, where this weekend is celebrated. week to the Ambrosetti Forum, a meeting dedicated to the economy.

Regarding the economic perspectives, Gentiloni has indicated that “it is very difficult to make predictions”. “2023 may be a more difficult year from a growth perspective. However, it is equally possible that in 2023 inflation will begin to decline,” he has pointed out.

“We don’t know how the crisis will evolve. We come from COVID, and the EU has achieved a feat of solidarity. Then came the invasion of Ukraine (…). The first risk is that the prophecies of inflation and recession come true , with negative effects also for companies. That is why we must not lose the compass of growth, of Europe, of the transition”, he stated.

In addition, he has defended the proposal to impose a cap on the price of gas that the European Commission has proposed. “The wall of divisions between the different countries is beginning to show gaps and therefore the Commission’s proposal (…) can finally have room to move forward”, which “would really be a great advance”, he argued.