US to Tighten Sanctions on Russian Energy Exports
U.S. to Tighten Sanctions on Russian Energy Exports, Aiming to Cripple War Funding
Washington D.C. – As the war in Ukraine enters its brutal winter phase, the Biden management is doubling down on efforts to cut off RussiaS energy revenue streams, a key source of funding for its ongoing aggression. Assistant Secretary of state Geoffrey Pyatt,in a recent interview with VOA Ukrainian,emphasized the U.S. commitment to “continue tightening the noose” around Russian energy exports through new sanctions.
Pyatt, who recently concluded a two-week tour of Europe and Asia to discuss energy security with allies, highlighted the importance of the December 31st expiration of a gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia. He urged Europe to seize this possibility to decisively end its dependence on Russian energy, a sentiment echoed by EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
“I certainly hope so,” Pyatt stated when asked if Europe was ready to move beyond Russian gas. “The energy and gas trade…has been the principal vector of Russian influence on the Ukrainian economy as independence. so why on earth would anybody be interested in extending that relationship?”
While acknowledging the pressure from a few countries to extend the gas transit agreement, Pyatt emphasized the broader consensus among G7 partners and the EU to phase out Russian energy imports. He pointed to the recent 15th sanctions package against Russia and assured that more measures are on the horizon.
“We’re going to do everything that we can to drive down [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s energy revenues, which go to pay for the north Korean missiles and the Russian drones that are destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure every day of the week,” Pyatt declared.
The U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine’s energy sector remains strong, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently signing a second energy memorandum of Understanding with Ukraine, providing an additional $825 million in assistance. Pyatt stressed that this U.S. support is complemented by even larger contributions from other G7-plus countries.
Addressing concerns about potential waning U.S. support for Ukraine in the coming year, Pyatt highlighted the ongoing commitment from both the U.S. and its allies. he emphasized the importance of continued reforms in Ukraine’s energy sector, aligning it with European and OECD standards, as a crucial step towards Ukraine’s future EU membership.”Ukraine will not become a member of the European Union in one day,” Pyatt acknowledged, “but I think fulfilling the aspirations that the Ukrainian people expressed during the revolution of dignity…is as important today as it’s ever been.”
U.S. Tightens Grip on Russian Energy Exports, Aiming too Cripple War funding
Washington D.C. – As the war in Ukraine grinds through it’s brutal winter phase, the Biden Governance is escalating efforts to sever Russia’s energy revenue streams, a vital source of funding for its ongoing aggression. Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt, speaking in a recent interview with VOA Ukrainian, underscored the U.S. commitment to “continue tightening the noose” around Russian energy exports through new sanctions.
Pyatt, who recently completed a two-week tour of Europe and Asia to discuss energy security with allies, emphasized the significance of the December 31st expiration of a gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia.He urged Europe to seize this chance to definitively end its reliance on Russian energy, a sentiment echoed by EU Energy Commissioner Dan jorgensen.
“I certainly hope so,” Pyatt stated when asked if Europe was ready to move beyond Russian gas. “The energy and gas trade…has been the principal vector of Russian influence on the Ukrainian economy as independence.So why on earth would anybody be interested in extending that relationship?”
While acknowledging pressure from some nations to extend the gas transit agreement, Pyatt emphasized the broader consensus among G7 partners and the EU to phase out Russian energy imports.He pointed to the recent 15th sanctions package against Russia and assured that more measures are in the pipeline.
“We’re going to do everything that we can to drive down [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s energy revenues, which go to pay for the North Korean missiles and the Russian drones that are destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure every day of the week,” Pyatt declared.
The U.S. commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s energy sector remains steadfast. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently signed a second energy memorandum of Understanding with Ukraine, providing an additional $825 million in assistance. Pyatt stressed that this U.S. support is complemented by even larger contributions from other G7-plus countries.
Addressing concerns about potential waning U.S. support for Ukraine in the coming year, Pyatt highlighted the continued commitment from both the U.S. and its allies. He emphasized the importance of ongoing reforms in Ukraine’s energy sector, aligning it with European and OECD standards, as a crucial step towards Ukraine’s future EU membership. “Ukraine will not become a member of the european Union in one day,” Pyatt acknowledged, “but I think fulfilling the aspirations that the Ukrainian people expressed during the revolution of dignity…is as important today as it’s ever been.”