German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended, on Sunday, the timing of his approval of military aid to Ukraine, describing his decision as swift, and that it came in agreement with Berlin's partners, while European Union diplomats said that the bloc tends to impose an embargo on Russian oil and gas by the end of this year, which it opposes. Hungary.

"I take my decisions quickly and in coordination with our allies," Chancellor Schulz said in a statement to the German newspaper "Bild", adding, "I warn against hasty steps, and that Germany will become alone."

Schulz's comments come in the wake of criticism of Germany by countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which expressed their dissatisfaction with the German chancellor's reluctance to arm Kyiv.

Last Thursday, the German parliament adopted a text calling on the government to speed up the process of supplying Kyiv with heavy weapons.

While some are calling for him to speed up the supply of arms to Ukraine, the German chancellor, on the other hand, is facing pressure from others to push for a halt in German military support to Ukraine.

In a related context, German Foreign Minister Annalina Birbock said that it is not possible to trust the promises of Russian President Vladimir Putin again, in reference to his promises before launching the war on Ukraine since last February 24.

In statements to the newspaper "Bild", Minister Birbock stressed that the lifting of sanctions against Russia is conditional on the ceasefire and the withdrawal of its forces from Ukraine.

European sanctions

On the other hand, two EU diplomats said that the bloc is inclined to impose a ban on Russian oil imports by the end of this year, after talks between the European Commission and EU member states at the weekend.

The European Union is preparing a sixth set of sanctions against Russia for its war on its neighbor Ukraine, which Moscow calls a special military operation.

The new sanctions package is expected to target Russian oil and more Russian and Belarusian banks, as well as more individuals and companies.

The commission, which is coordinating the EU's action, has held so-called "communal" talks with small groups of EU countries aimed at toughening its sanctions plan ahead of a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels next Wednesday.

European Union energy ministers are scheduled to meet in the Belgian capital tomorrow, Monday, to discuss the adoption of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia

The European Union energy ministers are scheduled to meet in the Belgian capital on Monday to discuss the issue.

The diplomats said that some EU countries are able to end their use of oil before the end of 2022, but that other countries, particularly members in the south, are concerned about the impact on prices.

conservative countries

The diplomats added that Germany, one of the largest buyers of Russian oil, appeared to be ready to agree to halt imports at the end of 2022, but there were still reservations from countries such as Austria, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia.

Jörg Cookes, an aide to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said Germany supports the European Union's ban on Russian oil imports but needs a few months to secure alternatives.

On the other hand, Hungary affirmed its opposition to the European Union’s expansion of sanctions against Russia to include the energy sector. crude oil or Russian natural gas,” Julius did not say whether Hungary would try to veto such a move, which Prime Minister Viktor Orban called his “red line.”

In the same context, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet on his Twitter account, today, Sunday, that he had informed the European Union Foreign Policy Coordinator Josep Borrell that the next round of EU sanctions should include an oil embargo on Russia.

A delegation of American legislators led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Pelosi met today in Kyiv with the Ukrainian President (European)

Pelosi in Kyiv

On the other hand, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, met today, Sunday, in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

As for President Zelensky, he said that the United States leads the great support for his country in its response to the Russian aggression, expressing his thanks for the continuous support to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

On the same subject, Andrei Yermak, director of the Ukrainian President’s office, said that he met Ibrahim Kalin, the Turkish president’s chief adviser, and discussed the situation on the ground, especially in Mariupol and Donetsk.

The Director of the Ukrainian President's Office indicated that his country would welcome Turkey to be part of a system of international guarantees for Ukraine.