President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the EU for only starting to discuss the oil embargo in the sixth sanctions package. According to him, this shows that the world does not realize what war Russia was preparing for.
The head of state said this during an address to the Lithuanian parliament.
"If they started discussing oil only for the sixth package of sanctions, it means that the world is not aware of the war Russia is preparing for. If there is still no clear certainty about Russian gas, then there can be no certainty that there is a common will in Europe to stop Russian war crimes, to force Russia to peace. If there are large European companies and large European banks that even in the midst of hostilities in Ukraine do not consider it necessary to withdraw from the Russian market, it means that all other companies will take this as a signal to 'wait' and then you can work," Zelensky said.
Also during his address, the head of state noted that even the atrocities in Bucha have not forced the EU to impose an embargo on energy from Russia.
"The European Union is already discussing the sixth package of sanctions against Russia for the war and it is still not known whether oil will be under sanctions. Even after seeing mass murders in Bucha and other cities, some EU countries are still unable to decide when they will at least significantly limit the purchase of Russian energy carriers. Hundreds of European companies and banks have not only still not refused to work on the Russian market, but they also show blatant disregard in response to demands to stop financing the Russian military machine because of their taxes and excise duties," Zelensky noted.
The president of Ukraine demanded a specific deadline for the European Union country to refuse Russian gas and oil.
"You can not wait for the development of another 7, 8, 9,10...20 package of sanctions against Russia. To make really powerful decisions, do everything necessary now. In the sixth sanctions package, the EU can do it and should definitely include oil there, definitely sanction Russian banks, but all, not part of it," the president said.
He also stressed that the EU does not need to make a demonstration.
"There must be a specific deadline for each EU country to actually refuse, or at least significantly limit the consumption of Russian gas and oil. Only this way the Russian leadership will come to the opinion that real peace must be sought, that war is a disaster, first and foremost, for them," Zelensky added.
We recall that recently, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that EU countries are preparing a sixth package of sanctions against Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine. It is expected to include an "oil option".
