Democratic world can give up Russian oil and make it toxic – Zelensky

The introduction of restrictions on Russian oil and gas business is among the priorities for the Ukrainian diplomacy.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The introduction of more painful restrictions on cash flows of the Russian Federation is among the priorities for our diplomacy, for all contacts with our partners. First of all this applies to the oil business,” Zelensky told.

In his words, the democratic world can definitely give up Russian oil and make it toxic to all other states.

“Oil is one of the two sources of Russian self-confidence, their sense of impunity. Another source – gas – will also be shut down over time. It’s just inevitable. Not only for safety, but also for environmental reasons,” the President of Ukraine stressed.

Meanwhile, according to Zelensky, Ukraine does not have time to wait.

“When tyranny launches aggression against everything that keeps peace in Europe, action must be taken immediately. It is necessary to act in a principled fashion. And the oil embargo should be the first step. At the level of all democracies, the whole civilized world. Then Russia will feel it. Then it will be an argument for them – to seek peace, to stop pointless violence,” the President of Ukraine noted.

A reminder that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Western countries to follow the example of the United Kingdom and increase pressure on Russia, including by imposing an embargo on Russian energy and increasing arms supplies to Ukraine.

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