Group 1 - The European Union has implemented its 18th round of sanctions against Russia, which includes a permanent ban on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, affecting energy supply to Europe [1][4][12] - The economic loss for Germany due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict is estimated at approximately €240 billion, translating to over ¥1.8 trillion, indicating significant financial strain on the country [12][14] - 77% of German households report being overwhelmed by high energy bills, with 44% having to dip into savings to pay for electricity, highlighting the direct impact on ordinary citizens [14][16] Group 2 - The loss of affordable Russian gas has led to increased production costs for German industries, with major companies like BASF and Volkswagen relocating production to the United States, resulting in technology loss and job reductions [16][17] - Europe's political dependence on the U.S. has deepened, with countries like Hungary and Slovakia initially resistant to sanctions but ultimately conforming under pressure, indicating a loss of European autonomy [19][36] - The U.S. has profited significantly from the situation, selling liquefied natural gas to Europe at three times the price and attracting European companies to relocate, thereby gaining technology and jobs [25][27] Group 3 - The sanctions against Russia have not severely impacted Russia as anticipated; instead, it has successfully opened new markets in Asia, particularly with China and India, mitigating the effects of Western sanctions [29][32] - The trade volume between China and Europe is ten times that of Europe and Russia, emphasizing the critical economic relationship that could be jeopardized by potential European policies aimed at reducing reliance on China [48][50] - German industry leaders are advocating for deeper cooperation with China, recognizing the importance of the Chinese market for their exports and production [56][59]