The leaders of G-7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States) have committed to ban imports of Russian oil at the end of the distance summit held this Sunday, according to the final declaration published by the White House, to intensify the international response against Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.
Leaders will “commit to phase out dependence on Russian energyincluding phasing out or banning the import of Russian oil,” according to the text. “We will make sure to do it in a timely and orderlyand in a way that allows time for the world to obtain alternative supplies,” the statement added.
“In the meantime, we will work together and with our partners to ensure stable and sustainable global energy suppliesat affordable prices for consumers, including accelerating the reduction of our overall dependence on fossil fuels and our transition to clean energy in line with our climate goals.”
The leaders of the main economies made this statement after a video call that included the participation of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyon this eve of victory day from Russia, on May 9, which commemorates Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II; date that has become a cornerstone of the Kremlin’s campaign to rally public support for the invasion.
The announcement also takes place after the European Union decided to prolong negotiations on its own ban on imports of Russian oil to try to achieve the necessary unanimity, after Hungary maintained its reservations on this Sunday. The meeting ended without agreement after an hour and a half of debate in which it was recorded that Hungary demands “more guarantees” on supply alternatives or compensation for breaking with the Russian flow, various diplomatic sources have indicated to Europa Press.
Returning to the G7 statement, its leaders will also commit to taking action to ban or prevent the provision of key services Russia depends on. “This will strengthen the isolation of Russia in all sectors of its economy“, again according to the text, whose signatories re-declare their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, for international investigations into war crimes against Russian President Vladimir Putin, and for world economic and food security in the face of the impact conflict international.
In addition, The United States has announced new sanctions individuals against Russia’s communications, financial, industrial, nuclear and military sectors.
The sanctions affect three Russian television networks (Channel 1, Rossiya 1 and NTV), according to the statement also sent by the White House, which “are among the largest recipients of foreign income, which in turn feed back the income of the Russian State.”
In addition, the United States strictly prohibits its citizens from providing financial management services to people of Russian nationality, according to the document, which also reflects new restrictions on the Russian industrial sector, specifically on seven shipping companies and the Promtekhnologiya arms factory.
Similarly, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission will suspend general licenses to export “nuclear material and deuterium” to Russia, as well as new sanctions against “Russian elites and relatives” and additional visa restrictions for “Russian military officers suspected of violations of international law” during the conflict in Ukraine.
Finally, the United States has also announced sanctions against eight executives of Sberbank, Russia’s largest financial institution, 27 other Gazprombank executives, as well as the Moscow Industrial Bank and its ten subsidiaries.”
Source: Lasexta
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