Kyiv request NATO for more weapons, full oil embargo
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As it defends itself from Russia’s aggression, Ukraine asked NATO for more weapons.
Since February’s Russian invasion unprovoked of Ukraine, NATO members have supplied weapons to Kyiv. U.S. for example has supplied anti-aircraft Stingers, thousands of anti-tank weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition.
This is however not sufficient for Dmytro Kuleba (Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister),
My agenda is simple. The agenda only contains three items. “It’s weapons and more weapons,” Kuleba stated as he arrived at Brussels, Belgium, for a meeting of NATO members.
“In recent weeks, in the last month(s), the Ukrainian army has shown that it is possible to win. We are able to win. These victories will not be possible without a sustainable supply of weapons, which Ukraine has requested,” he said.
The Czech Republic announced the recent deployment of tanks in Ukraine as the NATO’s first member.
The request of Ukraine for additional practical assistance comes at an important moment in war.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated Wednesday that Russia has been moving troops from Ukraine to strengthen them and to move them to east.
He stated that Putin’s goal is to take control of the entire Donbas region and establish a land link. “We have not seen any indications that Putin has abandoned his desire to rule the entire of Ukraine as well as to change the international order.”
“We must be ready for the long-term.”
Sanctions on energy
The EU is currently debating whether or not it will ban Russian oil.
The issue of imposing sanctions on Russian energy is a contentious one for Europe, which is highly dependent on Moscow for its gas, oil and, to smaller extent, coal.
This week, the 27-member bloc worked to put an end to imports of Russian coalAs a response, mounting evidence of atrocities committed by Russian forces.
A EU official who was not able to identify himself due to the sensitive nature the talks said the agreement is expected to go into effect starting in August.
However, the movement to ban Russian oil is fast gaining momentum.
Ursula von der Leyen president of European Commission said Tuesday that she is working on more sanctions including oil imports and was reflecting on some ideas from member states such as taxes, or special payment channels like an escrow account.
The EU ministers of foreign affairs will debate an oil ban next Monday. All 27 EU member countries must reach a consensus before further sanctions can be implemented.
According to official European statistics, 19% of EU’s 2020 coal imports were from Russia. Contrary to this, 36.5% and 41.1% respectively of EU’s oil imports from Russia were made.
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