These are the toughest sanctions Brussels has ever imposed on a country – but are they tough enough?
Russia is cut off from international payment transactions, European airspace is closed to Russian planes, and Russian banks can no longer get money on the international financial market.
But: Europe still buys Russian gas every day, thereby helping to finance Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Can it stay like this?
Many people in Germany think: No!
48 percent believe that the sanctions do not go far enough. This was the result of a survey by the opinion research institute Insa (1005 respondents) on Friday for BILD am SONNTAG. 27 percent think the sanctions are just right, 16 percent think they go too far.
Particularly in the sights of those surveyed: Russian gas imports. 60 percent think that Germany should stop buying Russian gas (28 percent don’t want that). To compensate for the loss of Russian gas, 59 percent are in favor of extending the remaining nuclear power plants in Germany (to be shut down at the end of the year).
Reason for the increased willingness to impose sanctions: Most Germans fear a further escalation of the war.
► 77 percent are concerned that nuclear weapons could be used.
► 76 percent fear that Russia could attack other countries besides Ukraine.
In the crisis, the ranks close behind Chancellor Olaf Scholz (63, SPD). 46 percent are satisfied with his work, which is the highest value since he took office (dissatisfied: 39 percent).
The respondents also have a clear opinion of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (77, SPD). 74 percent of all Germans and even 82 percent of SPD voters believe that Schröder should be thrown out of the SPD. 75 percent (SPD voters: 79 percent) think that Schröder’s pension (EUR 8,700 a month) should be cut if he doesn’t give up his top jobs at Russian state-owned companies. (heel)