US Rejects EU Call to Block Russian Oil

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Guillaume Périgois

JAKARTA - The European Union (EU) failed to obtain the support of the United States (US) and other G7 countries to make a coordinated effort to block the shipment of Russian oil in the proposed 20th package of sanctions.

To the Russian news agency Tass, a diplomat said in Brussels on Monday (23/2), the EU conveyed the proposal to the US and the G7 as part of an expansion of restrictions on Russian oil transportation and shipping services.

"UE conveyed to the US and G7 plans to completely ban European companies from transporting Russian oil as well as providing maintenance, supply, financing, and insurance services for tankers transporting Russian oil, whatever the flag," said the diplomat who spoke anonymously. reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, February 23.

"The European Commission invites partners to impose similar restrictions. The United States refused," he said.

He emphasized that it was not impossible for the US to impose measures and on its own terms in time.

"Other G7 partners said joining the EU sanctions was possible, but did not give a clear promise," the source said.

Since the war in Ukraine broke out in February 2022, Russia has become the country with the most sanctions in the world, surpassing Iran, Syria, and North Korea.

According to the sanctions tracking database, more than 16,500 restrictive measures have been imposed on Russian individuals, entities, ships, and aircraft.