Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed new oil sanctions on Russia by the UK and US, thanking the two allies for their “unwavering support” against Russia’s war machine.
Washington announced a comprehensive new sanctions package against Russia’s oil industry on Friday with trade restrictions imposed on nearly 200 Russian vessels, dozens of traders, some senior Russian oil executives, and two major oil companies.
The UK also imposed its own restrictions on the Russian oil giants – Gazprom Neft and PJSC Surgutneftegas.
Mr Zelensky spoke to Joe Biden just days before he leaves office to be replaced by Donald Trump and said the sanctions package would directly affect how Kremlin bankrolls the war.
“By sanctioning two major Russian oil companies, the UK delivers yet another significant disruption to Putin’s ability to finance aggression,” Mr Zelensky said.
Meanwhile, Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a missile strike on a supermarket in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk with US-supplied weapons.
Dashcam footage posted by a driver nearby appeared to show the moment the supermarket was struck, with an ensuing large explosion and flames soaring into the sky.
UK coordinates with US over sanctions on Russian oil
The UK government also imposed its own restrictions on Russia’s oil industry, directly sanctioning two Russian oil giants – Gazprom Neft and PJSC Surgutneftegas.
The profits from these two companies are “lining Putin’s war chest and facilitating the war,” the UK foreign office said in a statement.
“These energy companies produce over 1 million barrels of oil per day between them – worth roughly $23 billion a year at current prices, more than the GDP of Jamaica,” it said.
“Taking on Russian oil companies will drain Russia’s war chest – and every ruble we take from Putin’s hands helps save Ukrainian lives,” UK foreign secretary David Lammy said.
“That’s why I have made it my personal mission to constrain the Kremlin and those companies propping it up, for the good of our democracy and shared security,” Mr Lammy said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the UK for its “unwavering support and decisive actions” against Russia’s war machinery.
“By sanctioning two major Russian oil companies, the UK delivers yet another significant disruption to Putin’s ability to finance aggression,” Mr Zelensky said in a post on X.
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Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 03:37
White House announces new sanctions against Russia
The US announced a comprehensive new sanctions package against the Russian energy sector yesterday, seen as one of the harshest sanctions yet on Russia’s oil industry.
The sanctions include restrictions on nearly 200 Russian vessels, dozens of traders, two major oil companies, and some senior Russian oil executives.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his appreciation for the new move.
“We discussed the details of the new U.S. sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy sector, which helps Putin bankroll the war,” Mr Zelensky said.
“I am grateful to the United States, both political parties, and both chambers of Congress for supporting this just pressure on Russia for its unprovoked and brutal aggression,” he said.
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Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 03:27
Russia fires 74 drones across Ukraine, says Kyiv
Russia launched 74 drones at targets across Ukraine overnight, the country’s air force has said. They said 47 were shot down and the remaining 27 were lost in the air.
Tom Watling11 January 2025 07:29
Ukraine’s inflation rose to 12 per cent in 2024 – report
Inflation in Ukraine rose to 12 per cent in 2024, Ukraine’s statistics service Derzhstat has said, considerably higher than the central bank’s most recent estimates in November.
The country’s economy has been hit hard by the Russian invasion with inflation skyrocketing to over 25 per cent in 2022, up from 10 per cent in 2021.
The rate has since steadied, and Ukraine’s National Bank estimated the country would end 2024 at just under 10 per cent. But the new estimates suggest that the target has been missed.
The increasing cost of groceries and electricity have been pointed to as key drivers of inflation.
Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 07:09
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where are Putin’s forces making gains on the frontline as 2025 begins?
Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 05:30
Trump envoy’s Ukraine visit delayed over legal reasons, Kyiv says
The incoming Donald Trump administration’s Ukraine peace envoy Keith Kellogg postponed his visit to Ukraine due to legal reasons, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said.
The Ukrainian spokesperson said the delay was due to the US Logan Act, which restricts unauthorised negotiations by private citizens with foreign governments.
Mr Kellogg was initially expected to visit Ukraine before Mr Trump taking office but Reuters reported that the trip was postponed without citing reasons.
“I would prefer that General Kellogg’s team comment on the timing of the visit. I can say that the visit is still being prepared; it will take place,” Mr Tykhyi said.
Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 05:02
By effectively threatening to invade a Nato nation – and steal it – Trump has done Europe a favour
This week, the president-elect refused to rule out using economic or military force to seize the Panama Canal and (or) wrestle Greenland away from Denmark, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley. He’s taught Europe an important lesson.
Alexander Butler11 January 2025 05:00
Zelensky and Biden discuss Ukraine’s air defences
After discussing new sanctions imposed on the Russian oil industry with his US counterpart, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with president Joe Biden about the need to keep building up Ukraine’s air defences.
He said Ukraine needed to develop its air defences “to protect lives in Ukrainian cities and villages from Russian terror – daily missile and drone attacks”.
I am grateful to @POTUS, his administration, and the entire American people for today’s announcement of a new sanctions package targeting over 400 entities linked to Russia’s energy sector. The bipartisan support of the United States truly matters, and we feel it deeply.
These…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) January 10, 2025
Mr Zelensky said Patriot missiles supplied by the US have so far “proven their effectiveness, and we must continue to enhance this capacity”.
Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 04:51
Ukraine ‘will do everything’ to end war in 2025, Zelensky says
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s dream is to end the war in 2025 and obtain security guarantees preventing “Russia from returning with aggression”.
“It is our dream to obtain these guarantees this year and to end the war this year. We will do everything to achieve this,” the Ukrainian president said yesterday.
“It’s crucial for us that peace comes. We desire peace more than anyone else…We are the ones suffering the most, particularly in terms of lives lost,” he told Italian broadcaster RaiNews24.
Vishwam Sankaran11 January 2025 04:12
Ukraine expects Trump-Zelensky meeting after Trump inauguration
Ukraine expects high level contacts with the new US administration immediately after Donald Trump takes office, including an eventual meeting between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyiv’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
“We are waiting for a meeting between our presidents because for us the main thing is to work together with America… we are preparing for contacts at the highest and high levels immediately after the inauguration,” ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said.
Alexander Butler11 January 2025 04:00
