![OT Forum – Andrianopoulos: A channel of communication should be found between the West and Russia](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/photo_2022-03-29_15-13-43.jpg)
The need to find a channel of communication between the West and Russia was pointed out by the former minister, Director of the Institute of Diplomacy and Global Affairs of the American College of Greece, Mr Andreas Andrianopoulos.
The former minister, speaking at the OT Forum, noted that Europe should have found a way to maintain relations with Russia, so as to face China, which, in the long run, is the West’s main rival. Recent developments have resulted in Russia turning to China, a fact that strengthens Beijing. In fact, Mr Andrianopoulos estimated that, if the Russia-West confrontation continues, Moscow will start to depend on Beijing. “The world is cahnging, but a channel of communication should be found between the West and Russia” he said, adding that “otherwise we will face a very unpleasant situation.”
Only a blow to exports could “hurt” Moscow
Commenting on European sanctions against Russia and the possibility of Moscow “closing the tap” of gas to the European Union, Mr Andrianopoulos noted that, since the beginning of the war, we were afraid that Russia would close the tap – something that did not happen neither in the Cold War, as the social benefits and the public sector of Russia depend on energy export revenues. He clarified that the suspension of energy imports is the only way to “hurt Russia”, “but, in this way, we, as West, will also suffer”. He noted that the US are taking safe measures, because they will not suffer by the sanctions against Russia, unlike Europe, which depends on the Russian energy.
The former minister stressed that Russia is already sending gas to China, and, in case the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, – which will take about 1.5 years to be completed – is completed earlier, Moscow will be able to replace Europe with China.
Regarding the sanctions that have been taken, Mr Andrianopoulos stressed that they do not really hurt the Russian economy, which depends on energy exports.
There are no common interests in Europe
Regarding the situation in the European Union, the former minister noted that there are no common interests among the states. Describing the prevailing landscape, he said that Germany is trying to overcome the energy agreements with Russia, while Britain, on the other hand, has its own energy supply system and maintains close relations with the USA. The European South has other needs. The countries of the South, apart from their dependence on Russia, “do not have storage facilities”, Mr Andrianopoulos clarified. Thus, even the quantities of the American LNG – which, as he noted, will be 1/10 of the imports from Russia – cannot be easily stored as “there is no storage space”.
Concerning the price hikes
As for the price hikes, Mr Andrianopoulos clarified that this is not a phenomenon that started due to the war, but is due to the measures taken in order to deal with the climate change – the importance of which is doubted, according to his viewpoint. He noted that, in many cases, the market can find a solution on its own, by rising the price of some products and, thus, reducing their consumption.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Revenues Up for Accommodation, Food Services Sectors in Q2 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_2461128859-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Revenues Up for Accommodation, Food Services Sectors in Q2 2024
According to ELSTAT, revenues in the two sectors increased overall, but Mykonos and Santorini reported a steep decline
![Higher Than Normal Temperatures Expected in September](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/heat-wave-@to-vima-600x400.jpg)
Higher Than Normal Temperatures Expected in September
Meteorologists are forecasting warmer temperatures in September after Greece reported hottest July on record.
![GDP up by 0.3% in Eurozone, EU for 2Q 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/EU_flags_european_reuters_Yves_Herman-768x480-1-600x375.jpg)
GDP up by 0.3% in Eurozone, EU for 2Q 2024
Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.6% in the Eurozone and by 0.8% in the EU
![Climate Change Hits Greek Economy Hard, Severe Risks Ahead](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/npa050921723417633-1024x682-3-600x400.jpg)
Climate Change Hits Greek Economy Hard, Severe Risks Ahead
Central Greece, Western Greece, and the Peloponnese are particularly susceptible to forest fires, while Eastern Macedonia and Thrace are vulnerable due to disparities in per capita GDP
![Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC_0559-600x399.jpg)
Massive Wildfire Front North of Athens; Evacuations Continue
Τhe conflagration in northeast Attica prefecture (greater Athens area) erupted instantaneously amid gusty winds near the township of Varnavas, before spreading south towards Mt. Penteli
![Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/industry.jpg)
Greek Industrial Production Up by 9.5% in June 2024
The Overall IPI in June 2023 decreased by 3.0% compared with the corresponding index in June 2022.
![Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cash-600x338.jpg)
Social Security Fund Employee Arrested for Demanding Bribe
Police said woman, 49, was nabbed 'red-handed' after receiving a folder filled with 4,000€, ostensibly to 'facilitate' the issuance of a disability pension
![Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/gps-navigator-in-the-car-P3ACQVK-1-600x364.jpg)
Greek Road Tourism Booms, Eyeing Record 2024
The Kipoi (Kipi) border station recorded the highest absolute increase, with 457,000 arrivals, an increase of 115,000 or 33.5%.
![Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_1061985551-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Greek Doctors Issue Safety Advice for Vacationers
The Athens Medical Association offers tips to prevent accidents and health problems during the summer holidays.
![Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/vat-2048x1536-1-600x450.jpg)
Deadline for Self-Employed Professionals to Register for Inter-Bank Payment System Pushed Back a Few Days
Greece’s independent tax bureau, AADE, announced the two-day deadline extension this week, given that the previous deadline of Aug. 31 fell on a Saturday