Energy crisis: Europe "should act united" according to Madrid

In an interview with euronews, the Spanish minister Nadia Calviño expresses Spain's solidarity with the EU states most affected by the energy crisis, recalling that her country, when it was hit hard by the pandemic, was a beneficiary of this European solidarity.

As the energy crisis escalates, natural gas prices are four times higher than last winter, and inflation is at a record high of double digits. The EU is still struggling to find common ground. Is there a way to escape the situation? Euronews went to Luxembourg to discuss the matter with the deputy prime minister of Spain, Nadia Calvino.

Efi Koutsokosta, Euronews :

So, Minister, the war in Ukraine has had a dramatic impact on the energy situation in Europe with a spill-over effect on our economies. How bad is the situation?

Nadia Calviño, Deputy Prime Minister of Spain:

Well, obviously, we're all affected by the war at Europe’s door, on our individual doorsteps and also by Putin’s energy blackmail. However, the degree of the impact felt by the people will differ per country. So, you have some economies, such as the German economy, Baltic countries or countries neighbouring Ukraine, that are the most directly affected. And luckily some other countries, such as Spain- which is suffering less in the sense that we are less reliant on oil and gas from Russia, are less affected by the consequences of the current situation.

Efi Koutsokosta:

But when it comes to the European response to this crisis, there is a lot of criticism aimed at the EU for not managing to address the high prices of imported gas in Europe. So, do you feel that the EU has failed so far to rise to the occasion?

Nadia Calviño:

I wish we would have acted earlier, but you know, better late than never. We're very