João Albuquerque, an international relations specialist, said US support for restoring Russian gas sales to Europe through Ukraine would damage trust between the United States and Europe and help Russia finance its war effort. He was speaking on Rádio Observador’s Gabinete de Guerra programme, which also discussed cyberattacks, Iran and Israeli politics.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the proposal was part of talks aimed at securing an energy ceasefire before winter. Albuquerque described the prospect as a serious break with efforts to restrict Russia’s economy, arguing that easing sanctions could give Moscow financial resources at a particularly difficult time for Ukraine’s defences.
He said the move would add to European concerns that Donald Trump was increasingly taking Russia’s side, and urged European leaders not to dismiss the policy as a temporary departure. Albuquerque also pointed to Ukraine’s dependence on US information systems and said Europe had not yet been able to replace all the capabilities Washington had provided. He said cyberattacks on alert applications in Ukraine and Russia, which sent false warnings about nuclear and chemical threats, airstrikes and urban fighting, could be intended to create confusion and uncertainty. He added that Russia was a possible perpetrator, but said responsibility had not been established.
On Iran, Albuquerque said a possible shift in the balance of power in the US Congress could affect Trump’s choices. He warned that Washington might intensify military action against Iran before a new Congress takes office, while noting that the president’s response to possible congressional constraints was difficult to predict.
Turning to Israel, Albuquerque said the rejection of the Likud party’s request to delay certification of the election was significant, as were denials from Qatar and other countries accused by Benjamin Netanyahu of interfering in the vote. He argued that Netanyahu could benefit from a prolonged process: remaining in office as caretaker prime minister and potentially gaining an advantage if another election is called because no governing coalition can be formed. The request to delay certification was based on allegations that foreign interference had increased turnout among Arab Israelis.
Sources: Observador.