SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 19 April 2024, Friday |

Ukraine Welcomes EU’s Proposed Oil Embargo

In a video message posted on Twitter, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the European Union’s decision to propose an embargo on Russian oil.

 

He added that Ukraine isn’t happy it will be delayed for several months, but “it’s better than nothing.”

 

Kuleba stressed it should be clear now “that times for half-sanctions or half-measures when it comes to sanctions is gone.”

 

He said the EU can no longer support Ukraine on one hand by imposing sanctions, while continuing to pay Russia for oil and gas and support their “war machine.”

 

He also said if any country continues to oppose the embargo on Russian oil, it will be a reason to say the country is complicit in the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that EU member nations phase out imports of crude oil within six months and refined products by the end of the year as part of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

 

The proposals need unanimous approval from EU countries and are likely to be the subject of fierce debate.

 

Hungary and Slovakia have already said they won’t take part in any oil sanctions. They could be granted an exemption.

 

In a video on social media, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Hungary’s energy supply “would be completely destroyed” by an EU embargo of Russian oil, which he said would make it “impossible for Hungary to obtain the oil necessary for the functioning of the Hungarian economy.”

 

He said Hungary would only support the sixth round of sanctions if oil imports were exempted.

    Source:
  • Asharq Al-Awsat