new Delhi: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked US President Joe Biden on Tuesday when he banned imports of Russian oil, natural gas and coal “targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy” in retaliation for his invasion of Ukraine.
Responding to a ban on imports of energy resources from Russia, Zelensky tweeted, “With the personal leadership of the US and @POTUS to strike at the heart of Putin’s war machine and ban oil, gas and coal from the US market.” Thank you. Encourage other countries and leaders to follow.”
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Addressing a news conference at the White House, Biden announced the latest sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion of Eastern Europe.
“Today, I am announcing that the US is targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy. We are banning all imports of Russian oil, gas and energy. This means that Russian oil is no longer acceptable at US ports. The American people (Vladimir) will take another blow at Putin’s war machine.
It is already clear: Ukraine will never be a victory for Putin.
Putin may be able to take a city – but he will never be able to take over the country.
President Biden (@POTUS) 9 March 2022
Democrats further described the decision as “a powerful blow against Putin’s war machine.”
The US president later tweeted: “It is already clear: Ukraine will never be Putin’s victory. Putin may be able to take a city – but he will never be able to take over the country.”
Grateful for America and @potus Personal leadership struck at the heart of Putin’s war machine and banned oil, gas and coal from the US market. Encourage other countries and leaders to follow.
— Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) 8 March 2022
Following Biden’s announcement, the UK also said it would end imports of Russian oil by the end of the year, according to Reuters. Britain’s Trade Secretary Quasi Quarteng said on Tuesday that phasing out imports would not be an immediate measure, but would allow the UK more than enough time to adjust to supply chains, ancillary industry and consumers.
Britain’s trade minister, Kwasi Quarteng, said he was exploring options to end British imports of Russian gas, which accounts for about 4 percent of the country’s supply.
Europe, which is heavily dependent on Russian energy compared to the United States, also on Tuesday announced plans to cut gas imports from Russia by two-thirds this year, according to an AP report cited by The Washington Post.
In a global reaction to Russia’s invasion, Britain and other countries are looking for ways to deprive Moscow of income and cut its own use of Russian energy exports by becoming more self-sufficient.