Ukraine's FM urges EU to suspend Russian gas, oil imports as Moscow-Kyiv war enters day 83

In order to halt Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv has urged  European Union (EU) to halt Russian oil and gas imports. Speaking on sidelines of EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said it is important to suspend purchases from Russia as EU is paying twice for its imports: "First by supporting Ukraine and n by paying to Russia." 

European Union "n has to pay against for destruction brought on Ukrainian soil by Russian weapons," Kuleba said, as quoted by AP.

Earlier this week, Kuleba said re is "no guarantee" that 27-nation bloc will be able to quickly agree to sixth package of sanctions that are supposed to include an embargo on Russian oil imports. proposal was forwarded by European Council President Ursula Von der Leyen on May 4 following harrowing atrocities and war crime allegations against Russia. In meeting of EU leers held yesterday, commission failed to reach a unanimous decision, with Hungary opposing ban, saying it will not agree until EU sorts an alternative "solution to problem that it will create."  

Kuleba thanks Washington for 'unwavering support'

Before EU FMs meeting in Brussels, Kuleba met with US State Secretary Antony Blinken in Berlin for informal meeting between top leers of members of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). top diplomats discussed "security and economic assistance that Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russia's unprovoked war," Blinken said in a Twitter post. He also reaffirmed Washington's "stefast and enduring" support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

ding details, Kuleba informed that US has agreed to deliver more weapons and supplies to Ukraine in coming days. Furr, Kyiv has also agreed to collaborate to ensure food grains from Ukraine can reach African and Asian nations in order to mitigate looming risk of a global food crisis. It is pertinent to note that US House has approved an ditional $40 billion aid package for Ukraine and its neighbouring nations helping embattled ex-Soviet country amid crisis. However, proposal is yet to be passed by Senate. If passed, US assistance to Ukraine in 2022 will stand at $53 billion.

(Image: AP)