UK vows to end Russian oil and gas imports by end of year

London, Apr 6 (EFE).- The British government on Wednesday announced it would end all imports of Russian coal and oil by the end of 2022 as part of a new package of sanctions to “starve Putin’s war machine”.

“Today, we are stepping up our campaign to bring Putin’s appalling war to an end with some of our toughest sanctions yet,” Britain’s foreign secretary, Liz Truss, said.

“Our latest wave of measures will bring an end to the UK’s imports of Russian energy and sanction yet more individuals and businesses, decimating Putin’s war machine,” she added.

Wednesday’s is the fifth package of sanctions the United Kingdom has imposed against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

The key sanctions announced Wednesday include the end of oil and coal imports as well as the freezing of assets at Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, and Credit Bank of Moscow and eight oligarchs.

“By the end of 2022, the UK will end all dependency on Russian coal and oil, and end imports of gas as soon as possible thereafter.

“From next week, the export of key oil refining equipment and catalysts will also be banned, degrading Russia’s ability to produce and export oil – targeting not only the industry’s finances but its capabilities as a whole,” the government said in a statement.

Action will also be taken against key Russian strategic industries and state-owned enterprises, including imports of iron and steel products. EFE

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