Russia sanctions: G7 countries agree to phase out Russian oil

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On a screen in the Élysée Palace in Paris, the representatives of the G7 can be seen in their deliberations

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Thibault Camus/POOL/EPA

The G7 countries have imposed new sanctions on Russia over the war of aggression against Ukraine.

This was announced by the White House in Washington.

The heads of government of the G7 countries had previously spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a switching conference.

According to the US government, the punitive measures are aimed, among other things, at the Russian energy sector, which is important for financing the war.

In a joint statement, the G7 states announced further support for Ukraine and condemned Russia.

"We are appalled by the massive loss of life, the attack on human rights and the destruction caused by the Russian actions in Ukraine," it said.

The White House said all G7 countries have committed to phasing out or banning imports of Russian oil - the US itself has already imposed a similar import ban.

In Brussels, the EU countries are also negotiating an oil embargo against Russia and other punitive measures.

Recently there was still a dispute about exceptions to the import ban for countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria.

Discussions on this are expected to continue next week.

New US sanctions and tightened export controls

A US official also announced a ban on providing business services to companies or individuals in Russia.

Services in the areas of accounting, management, consulting or marketing are affected.

The US would also impose sanctions on three of the main TV channels directly or indirectly controlled by President Vladimir Putin's government: Pervy Kanal, Rossiya-1 and NTW.

These »Kremlin mouthpieces« should not be given advertising orders from the USA, nor should they be supplied with US technology for broadcasting.

The US official said the US would tighten export controls again to weaken Russia's war effort.

Wood products, industrial engines and clearing vehicles are affected.

Sanctions would also be imposed on managers of the largest and third largest Russian banks, Sberbank and Gazprombank.

"The message is that if Putin's invasion continues, there will be no safe haven for the Russian economy," the official said.

The White House said: "Our unprecedented sanctions are already taking an immense toll on Russia's economy." The export controls would cut off Russia from important technology.

"Putin's war is likely to wipe out the economic gains of the past 15 years in Russia." Two important Russian tank factories had shut down work because they lacked foreign components.

Almost 1000 companies left Russia.

"Putin did not achieve his original military goal of dominating Ukraine - but he managed to make Russia a global pariah."

Because of the Russian war of aggression, western countries have already imposed tough sanctions on Russia.

Germany currently holds the G7 presidency and is hosting the group's next summit in Bavaria at the end of June.

In addition to Germany, the group of seven leading democratic industrial nations includes the other NATO states USA, Canada, France, Great Britain and Italy as well as Japan.

atb/dpa/AFP