In a video speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Europeans - today, Friday - to remain united in the face of the Russian war, and to reduce the price of Russian oil to the maximum extent.
Zelensky said, "Reducing prices is very important. We hear about proposals to set a ceiling for the price of a barrel at 60 or 70 dollars, such words sound like submission to Russia."
"But I am very grateful to our Baltic and Polish colleagues for their sensible proposals to set the price at $30 a barrel. It's a much better idea," he added.
Poland wants to set the ceiling at $30, arguing that with Russian production costs estimated by some at $20 a barrel, the G7 proposal would allow Moscow a big profit.
Poland is supported by Lithuania and Estonia.
Thus, Ukraine joined Poland and the Baltic states in asking the European Union and the Group of Seven to set a price ceiling for Russian oil at $30 a barrel, which is a very low level compared to the Group of Seven proposal, which ranges between $65 and $70.
And the European Union failed to reach an agreement on setting a ceiling for the price of Russian oil transported by sea last Wednesday, as the proposal of the Group of Seven countries regarding a ceiling ranging between 65 and 70 dollars per barrel was seen by some as too high, while others considered it too low.
And European Union governments continued to be divided on Thursday over the level of the ceiling for Russian oil prices, with the aim of curbing Moscow's ability to finance the war.
In his speech to a conference in Lithuania, Zelensky called on European Union leaders to agree on the lowest price, which is $30.
And the European Union's energy ministers failed - yesterday, Thursday - to agree on setting a ceiling for Russian gas prices to alleviate the energy crisis in Europe, amid deep divisions over an initial proposal that many described as a "joke".
Whereas, Putin stressed - in a press statement issued by the Kremlin yesterday - that the attempts of some Western countries to impose restrictions on the cost of Russian crude oil contradict the principles of the global market, and will have serious consequences for energy markets.