It has now been over a month since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. More than a thousand civilians have died in the war, and four million Ukrainians have fled their homeland. Ukraine’s humanitarian situation is catastrophic. JEF Finland demands that the European Union cut off Russian energy imports, such as gas and oil, and thereby stop supporting Russia’s war economy.
“The EU and other Western countries have remained united and deepened their cooperation by imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russia. But now it’s time to take the final step by cutting off Russian energy imports. The economy of a country waging a brutal war of aggression must be brought to its knees”, comments JEF Finland’s President Risto Rajala.
Since Russia’s invasion began on 24 February, the EU has been buying Russian gas and oil daily, spending as much as a billion euros a day at times due to rising prices. Russia’s authoritarian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that, from this Friday onward, payments for gas deliveries be made in rubles, or Russia will cut off supplies. Giving in to this demand would undermine the sanctions.
“Instead of paying in rubles, payments should stop altogether. Giving up Russian energy will sting at first, but it’s nothing compared to the suffering of Ukrainians. Ukraine is fighting not just for Europe, but for freedom and democracy”, concludes Rajala.
For more information:
Risto Rajala
President
[email protected]
+358 40 056 3080