Oil embargo against Russia: Bulgaria demands exception

Created: 05/05/2022, 16:47

By: Katja Thorwarth

The EU plans to impose an oil embargo on Russia.

Bulgaria claims a special role.

• Oil embargo against Russia

  : EU Commission is pushing for tougher measures.

• Doubts about the effectiveness of the oil embargo

  : experts do not believe in economic damage in Russia.

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+++ 4.35 p.m .:

After Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Bulgaria is now also demanding an exception to the oil embargo against Russia proposed by the EU Commission.

"We will definitely insist on a postponement from the EU Commission," said Bulgarian Energy Minister Aleksandars Nikolov on Thursday (May 5).

His country will do this next week, Nikolov said after a meeting of energy ministers from Southeastern Europe, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

In view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, representatives and ministers from Romania, Greece, Turkey, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan discussed cooperation on energy security and diversification in this area.

The aim is to create a regional working group as part of the EU platform for energy purchasing.

"We see how the energy industry is being misused as a weapon," said Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

Oil embargo against Russia: Ukraine starts fundraising initiative

+++ 3.40 p.m .:

While the EU wants to introduce new sanctions, such as an oil embargo, against Russia, Ukraine has announced the launch of a global initiative.

The project with the Tidel United24 should become the main channel for collecting donations to support Ukraine, reports the news portal Pravda.

United24 should make it possible to make a donation from any country with just one click.

The donations received will be divided into three areas:

• Defense and demining in Ukraine.

• Humanitarian and medical care.

• reconstruction of Ukraine.

“Donate to protect.

Donate to save.

Donate for the reconstruction,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address at the launch of the initiative. 

Oil embargo against Russia: Serious doubts about its effectiveness

+++ 1:46 p.m .:

After ten weeks of war in Ukraine, the West is again increasing the economic pressure on Russia.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen proposed an embargo on oil from Russia on Wednesday (May 4), which could cost Moscow billions.

US President Joe Biden was also open to new punitive measures.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) promised Ukraine further military aid.

A rapprochement of the war opponents in negotiations is not in sight.

Scholz also wants to continue talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In an interview with the taz, energy expert Jörg Schindler stressed that an oil embargo against Russia would not work.

This is mainly due to the fact that not all countries in the world oil market would participate in sanctions against Russia.

Vladimir Putin can be sure that he can sell the oil to other countries.

According to him, he believes that Russia will not suffer any major economic damage because "it will not be left with its oil."

Von der Leyen becomes the fiercest Putin adversary and EU leader in times of war

First report from Thursday, May 5th, 12:06 p.m.:

Brussels / Kiev – Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) takes her position as President of the EU Commission very seriously.

This has never been as clear as during the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin is dealing with a prosecutor who has positioned herself clearly and consolidated her place at the top of Western leadership.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, speaks plainly to Putin.

© Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

When von der Leyen proposed the sixth package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday (May 4), she presented the toughest measures to date, which are intended to paralyze the Russian economy and the activities of Putin and his vicarious agents more than before.

It specifically targets those who help keep Putin's dictatorship alive - including Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, who actively supports the bloodshed in Ukraine.

Sanctions against Russia in the Ukraine war: Von der Leyen calls for an oil embargo

New measures proposed by von der Leyen include a phased outright ban on Russian oil imports, with purchases of crude oil to end within six months and purchases of refined oil within a year.

This sanction could cost Russia "billions", according to EU Commission circles.

And even if some EU countries - including Hungary - are trying to get exceptions, European customers will stop buying Russia's most lucrative commodity export in the long term.

Further punitive measures affect the state news channel Rossiya 24 and two other programs – Brussels wants to cut the transmission frequencies here.

As Putin's mouthpieces, these television channels have "demonstrably spread his lies and propaganda aggressively," explained the EU Commission President.

In addition, European auditors and consultants should no longer be allowed to work for Russia.

Ukraine war: oil embargo to create “maximum pressure” on Russia

"In this way we maximize the pressure on Russia and at the same time keep collateral damage to us and our partners worldwide as low as possible," emphasized von der Leyen.

In addition to speaking about the sanctions package, she also specifically targeted Russian war criminals: "First, we list high-ranking military officers and individuals who committed war crimes in Bucha and those responsible for the inhumane siege of the city of Mariupol." This is another important signal to all Kremlin perpetrators: We know who you are.

We will hold you accountable.

You can't get away with that."

War in Ukraine: Scholz cautious – von der Leyen with clear announcements

US President Joe Biden was open to new punitive measures and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) promised further military aid to Ukraine.

But he still wants to talk to the Kremlin boss.

Von der Leyen made a clearer statement in this regard: “Putin wanted to wipe Ukraine off the map.

And he clearly will not succeed.

On the contrary: Ukraine has grown in bravery and unity.

And it is his own country, Russia, that is letting Putin sink.” (ktho)