By YANGE IKYAA
Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, has warned that forcing a boycott on Russian oil and gas now would have “enormous consequences.”
He was reacting to UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s call for a “step-by-step” move away from dependence on Russian oil and gas as a result of the Ukraine war.
Following talks with the Canadian and Dutch PMs, Mr Johnson said nations have to work together to secure alternatives., while Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said Europe did not want to repeat its mistake of being too dependent on Russia.
However, in a statement, Rutte said Europe had “deliberately exempted” Russian energy from sanctions because its supply cannot be secured “any other way” at the moment. Also in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz cautioned against banning Russian oil and gas.
The UK gets less than 5% of its gas from Russia – but for EU countries the figure is about 40%.
According to the BBC, Mr Johnson’s call came at a Downing Street news conference after he, Mr Trudeau, and Mr Rutte discussed new sanctions against Russia and aid for Ukraine.
Asked about claims that the US was in active discussions with European nations about banning imports of Russian oil, Mr Johnson said Western allies are “moving very, very fast,” and that things which weeks ago would not have been considered are “now very much on the table”.
He also said he would set out a new energy supply strategy in the coming days, adding further that the UK was looking at using more of its own fossil fuels.
Johnson, however, insisted that the UK was not abandoning its commitment to cut carbon emissions.
