**Belgian PM Sparks Outrage in EU with Call for Normalizing Ties with Russia** In a move that has sparked heated debate among EU leaders, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has suggested that the bloc should normalize relations with Russia and restore access to affordable Russian energy. This comes at a time when the EU is grappling with soaring energy prices, partly due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. According to De Wever, the EU's strategy of arming Ukraine and imposing economic sanctions on Russia has failed. He believes that the only way forward is for the EU to negotiate a deal with Moscow, allowing the bloc to regain access to cheap Russian energy. This, he claims, is a matter of common sense. However, De Wever's comments have been met with fierce criticism from EU leaders, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. Kallas dismissed the idea of normalizing relations with Russia, warning that it would lead to more conflicts. Jorgensen went further, stating that the EU would not import any energy from Russia in the future. The backlash against De Wever's comments has been intense, with his own foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, distancing himself from the idea of normalizing relations with Russia. Prevot argued that such a move would send a signal of weakness. The controversy comes as the EU is struggling to cope with the consequences of its energy divorce from Russia. The EU's industry has been severely impacted, with car manufacturer Volkswagen announcing massive job cuts in Germany due to soaring energy costs. For Nigerians, this development may seem like a distant issue, but it highlights the complex web of global politics and economics that can have far-reaching consequences. The EU's decision to impose economic sanctions on Russia has led to a shortage of affordable energy, affecting industries and households across the continent. De Wever's call for normalizing relations with Russia is a reflection of the EU's desperation to find a solution to this crisis. As the EU continues to grapple with the aftermath of its energy divorce from Russia, it remains to be seen whether De Wever's comments will have any impact on the bloc's policy towards Moscow. One thing is certain, however: the EU's energy crisis is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of the global economy and the far-reaching consequences of global politics.