Washington / Moscow – There are indications that US President Joe Biden may announce a ban on fuel import from Russia at any moment. Senior US Senators, as well as White House sources, have shared information in this regard. However, the European nations have refused to ban Russian fuel. The German chancellor has also adopted a firm stance regarding this. Moreover, he disclosed a difference of opinion with the United States about it, by stating that European countries have no other option for fuel. 

Moreover, the Western countries have continued hitting Russia with a series of sanctions since the start of the Russian-Ukraine war. Most of Russia’s sectors had been targeted, including finance, banking, defence, investment, space, and technology. However, the fuel sector had been excluded from this. Russia is the world’s third-largest fuel producer and exports large quantities to European countries, including the US. Fuel accounts for 3% of US fuel import and petroleum products are imported from Russia. 

Russia supplies around 40% fuel of the European countries’ fuel needs. There were strong discussions ongoing between the US and European countries on banning Russian fuel import against this backdrop. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky consistently demanded a ban on Russian fuel import. Russia has been launching attacks on Ukraine on the strength of the money earned from the fuel, accused Zelensky. 

However, Western countries have not decided upon these sanctions, considering the increase in fuel prices due to the ban on Russian fuel import. Besides, it would impact the economies of the US and Europe. But, the demand regarding this was intensified in the US Congress. Members of the House also passed a bill on Russia’s oil ban. This is believed to have added pressure to the Biden administration. With this backdrop, President Biden’s announcement of a ban on Russian fuel import becomes important. Sources from the White House have hinted that the decision will be taken aiming to shake the Russian economy. 

But the US is the only country banning Russian fuel, and opposition from European countries persists. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, one of the prime nations in the European Union, clarified his position in this regard. Chancellor Scholz dismissed the possibility of a ban on Russian fuel by saying, ‘Europe has deliberately exempted energy supplies from Russia from sanctions. Supplying Europe with energy for heat generation, mobility, electricity supply, and industry cannot be secured in any other way at the moment. It is therefore of essential importance for the provision of public services and the daily lives of our citizens.’ 

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