Oil embargo, new sanctions: the Western bloc increases its pressure on Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron during his meeting by videoconference with his G7 counterparts on May 8, 2022. AP - Thibault Camus
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On the eve of the May 9 military parade in Russia, the G7 countries have pledged to gradually end their imports of Russian oil.
The United States has also announced a new salvo of sanctions targeting the Kremlin.
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The Western bloc raises its tone again.
Vladimir Putin's actions "
cover his people with shame
," the G7 said in a statement issued Sunday afternoon after its third meeting since the start of the year.
During this meeting, the member countries (Germany, Canada, United States, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom) agreed to gradually stop their imports of Russian oil, without yet specifying the terms.
This decision "
will deal a blow to the main artery irrigating the economy of (Vladimir) Putin and deprive him of the income he needs to finance his war
" against Ukraine, says the American executive.
This videoconference meeting was held in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The choice of date is highly symbolic: Europeans commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8.
Russia, for its part, will hold a major military parade on Monday, marking the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.
► To read also: Commemorations of May 8: Germany wants to avoid pro-Putin rallies
The West has so far shown very close coordination in their announcements of sanctions against Russia, but they are not moving at the same pace when it comes to Russian oil and gas.
The United States, which was not a big consumer, has already banned the import of Russian hydrocarbons.
The Member States of the European Union, much more dependent on Russia, continued this Sunday to carry out intense negotiations for an embargo.
New sanctions
Washington has also announced a new round of sanctions against Moscow.
The United States will sanction the television channels Pervy Kanal, Rossiïa-1, and NTV.
Any American company will be prohibited from financing them by advertising or selling them equipment.
“
No American company should participate in the financing of Russian propaganda
,” said a senior White House official.
Another line of attack from Washington: prohibit the provision of "
auditing, management, consulting, marketing services, all services used to operate multinational companies, but also potentially to circumvent sanctions or hide evil wealth acquired
,” said the same source.
The United States has also announced new bans on the export of American products to Russia, on a whole series of capital goods ranging from bulldozers to ventilation systems and boilers.
Visa restrictions will also affect 2,600 Russian and Belarusian personalities.
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