Ukrainians demand sanctions on Russian oil during protests ahead of EU leaders meeting
Highlight
- This is the sixth round of sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia.
- It was initially announced on 4 May that oil supplies had been halted due to concerns.
- The European Union gets about 40 percent of its natural gas and 25 percent of its oil from Russia.
European Union leaders on Monday decided to impose partial oil sanctions on Russia. European Union Council President Charles Michel said the agreement covered more than two-thirds of oil imports from Russia, “cutting off a major source of financing for its war machine. Maximum pressure on Russia to end the war.” “
The European Union has already imposed five rounds of sanctions on Russia over its war.
It has personally targeted more than 1,000 people, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and top government officials, as well as pro-Kremlin oligarchs, banks, coalfields and more.
But the sixth package of measures announced on May 4 was put on hold due to concerns over oil supplies.
The development comes as the EU focused on helping Ukraine with a long-delayed package of sanctions blocked by Hungary.
The water shortage embargo covers only Russian oil brought in by sea, allowing a temporary exemption for imports delivered by pipeline.
The EU gets about 40 percent of its natural gas and 25 percent of its oil from Russia, and divisions over the issue exposed the limits of the 27-nation trade bloc’s ambitions.
Zelensky’s video address to EU leaders
In his 10-minute video address, Zelensky called on leaders to “end internal arguments that only lead Russia to exert more and more pressure on the whole of Europe.”
He said the sanctions package “must be agreed, it needs to be effective (including oil),” so that Moscow “feels the price for what it is doing against Ukraine and the rest of Europe”. Only then, Zelensky said, would Russia be forced to “start the quest for peace.”
It was not the first time he has demanded that the EU target Russia’s lucrative energy sector and deprive Moscow of billions of dollars each day in supply payments.
But Hungary, which leads a group of EU countries, including Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, is heavily dependent on Russia for energy and cannot afford to shut down the pumps. In addition to the Russian oil requirement, Hungary gets 85 percent of its natural gas from Russia.
The summit will also focus on continuing EU financial support to Ukraine – perhaps up to 9 billion euros ($9.7 billion) in aid – and on military aid and war crimes investigations.
The issue of food security will be on the table on Tuesday, with leaders prepared to encourage their governments to intensify work on “solidarity lanes” to help Ukraine export grain and other produce.
(with inputs from AP)
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