‘Strike Against Heart Of Putin’s War Machine': Zelenskyy Thanks Biden For Import Ban Of Russian Oil

Biden announced the latest sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at a press conference for selected media at his official residence the Maryinsky Palace on March 3,2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. | Getty

New Delhi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked US President Joe Biden on Tuesday after it banned Russian oil, natural gas and coal imports 'targeting the main artery of Russia's economy' in retaliation to its invasion of Ukraine.

Responding to the ban on the import of energy resources from Russia,  Zelenskyy tweeted, “Thankful for US and @POTUS personal leadership in striking in the heart of Putin's war machine and banning oil, gas, and coal from US market. Encourage other countries and leaders to follow.”

Addressing a press conference at the White House, Biden announced the latest sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion in Eastern Europe.

“Today, I am announcing that the US is targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy. We are banning all imports of Russian oil, gas and energy. That means that Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at US ports. The American people will deal another powerful blow at (Vladimir) Putin’s war machine,” he said.

This much is already clear: Ukraine will never be a victory for Putin.

Putin may be able to take a city — but he will never be able to hold the country.

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 9, 2022

The Democrat further described the decision as a ‘powerful blow against Putin’s war machine.'

Later the US President tweeted: “This much is already clear: Ukraine will never be a victory for Putin. Putin may be able to take a city — but he will never be able to hold the country.”

Thankful for US and @POTUS personal leadership in striking in the heart of Putin’s war machine and banning oil, gas and coal from US market. Encourage other countries and leaders to follow.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 8, 2022

After the Biden announcement, the UK also said that it would phase out imports of Russian oil by the end of the year, according to Reuters. Britain’s Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on Tuesday said that phasing out of imports will not be an immediate measure but instead, it would allow the UK more than enough time to adjust the supply chains, supporting industry and consumers.

Britain's business minister Kwasi Kwarteng said he was exploring options to end British imports of Russian gas which accounts for about 4 percent of supply in the country. 

Europe, which is much more dependent on Russian energy than the United States, also announced on Tuesday a plan to cut gas imports from Russia by two-thirds this year, according to the AP report that cited The Washington Post.

In a global response to Russia’s invasion, Britain and other countries are looking at ways to deprive Moscow of income and cut their own use of Russian energy exports by becoming more self-sufficient.