France urges EU to prioritize banning Russian oil over gas
French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire on Tuesday called on the EU to prioritize a Russian oil embargo rather than a ban on gas, while acknowledging that not all the bloc's countries were on board with the move.
"We are trying to convince our European partners to stop importing oil from Russia," Le Maire told French radio Europe 1.
Le Maire said the renewed attacks have increased the urgency of weaning Europe off its dependency on Russian energy, while admitting some EU countries, which he did not name, were not ready to do so.
"We know very well that if we are not there today, it is not because France does not want it, it is because some European partners are still hesitant," Le Maire said, referring to an EU ban on Russian oil.
While Le Maire didn't specify which "European partners" were standing in the way, Germany is known to be resistant to a Russian oil embargo. Le Maire made a similar call earlier this month.
Western leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council chief Charles Michel, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, Romania and Canada are expected to hold a videoconference call this afternoon to discuss the situation in Ukraine .
Kremlin says Putin-Pashinyan talks 'necessary and expected'
08 May 2024 / 13:09
Vladimir Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Moscow
07 May 2024 / 14:29
Putin and Pashinyan to hold "very important negotiations" on May 8
07 May 2024 / 14:23
Armenian, Azeri FMs to meet on May 10
06 May 2024 / 13:06
Pashinyan will not attend Putin's inauguration, Armenia parliament speaker says
06 May 2024 / 12:59
Azerbaijan hosts World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue
01 May 2024 / 13:38
63 people detained during Tbilisi protest
01 May 2024 / 13:32
Armenia’s Pashinyan spills water on his desk, clothes to explain what he is doing in Tavush Province
30 April 2024 / 13:25
Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs to meet in Kazakhstan
29 April 2024 / 13:40
Aram I: Mr. Erdogan, our ancestors were massacred by your ancestors, don't try to oppose diaspora to Armenia
24 April 2024 / 14:20
Azerbaijan and Armenia start border delimitation process
23 April 2024 / 11:38
Armenia premier: Our society asks why we continue to be member state of CSTO?
23 April 2024 / 11:30
Ilham Aliyev on his way to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin
22 April 2024 / 10:39
German Foreign Ministry reacts to agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on border delimitation
22 April 2024 / 10:32
Is Pashinyan going to attend Putin's inauguration?
17 April 2024 / 14:40