The West is glossing over Europe's energy deficit and unjustifiably blaming Russia for causing the crises, Russia's Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Alexander Lukashevich told Sputnik.
"Ignoring its own miscalculations in macroeconomic and energy policy, the 'collective West' accuses Russia of provoking the global energy and food crises. At the same time, the main factor of the current energy deficit and rising energy prices in Europe – the West's unlawful unilateral restrictions against Russia and politically motivated accelerated refusal to supply Russian hydrocarbons – is being deliberately hushed," Lukashevich said.
He added that the energy deficit was already leading to a reduction in the industrial potential of the European economy and reduced its competitive advantages.
"There is a disinformation campaign brewing in the OSCE aimed at blaming Russia alone for the turbulence in global food markets. In reality, these are just attempts by the US and its satellites to squeeze Russia out of the world food market and ensure advantages for their own agricultural corporations. Nothing personal, as they say, just business," the permanent representative added.
In response to the Russian military operation in Ukraine, which started in February 2022, the EU decided to reduce its imports of Russian gas, which resulted in price hike in gas prices. To curb the increasing of costs, the European Commission unveiled several measures, including joint purchasing, price caps and increased energy conservation efforts.