World

EU lays out energy crisis plan, stresses on solidarity with Ukraine

Photo: EU Commission

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a series of proposals to curb the energy price spike that has hit Europe in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while reiterating that the EU’s solidarity with Kyiv would be “unshakeable.”

Energy prices and inflation have surged across European Union as Moscow slashed gas supplies in response to sanctions.

But Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, the chairperson of the European Commission, said sanctions were having a real impact on Russia and were there to stay.

“This is the time for us to show resolve, not appeasement,” she said.

Von der Leyen was set to travel to Kyiv later on Wednesday to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

“We are in it for the long haul,” she added.

“And I stand here with the conviction that with courage and solidarity, Putin will fail and Europe will prevail,” von der Leyen said.

She said the bloc was working to protect households and businesses.

“In these times it is wrong to receive extraordinary record revenues and profits benefiting from war and on the back of our consumers. In these times, profits must be shared and channelled to those who need it most,” she added.