EU President urges India to cut oil and gas trade with Russia

The war in Ukrainewhich has so far not spread to any EU member state, is “a stark reminder that our dependence on Russian fossil fuels is unsustainable” – RT quoted her as saying. der Leyen emphasized in a speech on April 24 at the International Solar Alliance.

So far, Russia has demonstrated a willingness to continue supplying energy to even “unfriendly countries”, despite insisting that gas must be paid for by ruble. However, some European countries and the US have called for a complete energy embargo from Russia. Meanwhile, a number of countries, including Germany and Austria, warn that the EU’s complete elimination of its energy dependence on Russia by the end of the year is unlikely.

“What happens in Ukraine will have consequences” for India and the surrounding region, von der Leyen said in her keynote address at India’s Raisina Dialogue conference on geopolitics and economics. On April 25, it also pointed to soaring prices of grains, energy and fertilizers as proof of its claims.

While claiming Europe had “imposed effective sanctions”, Ms. von der Leyen however implied that India has a duty to add to that “effectiveness”, emphasizing “for the region Indo-Pacific, it is as important as it is for Europe that borders are respected and spheres of influence denied.”

Mrs. von der Leyen also did not hesitate to give India into Europe’s own sphere of influence, declaring that “India and the European Union share basic values ​​and common interests”, such as a “free Indo-Pacific and open”.

The EU and India have agreed to form a joint technology and trade council for “deep strategic engagement” – the second treaty signed between the two sides. The other deal is with the US. A joint statement by the two sides said the council would focus on “the link between commerce, trusted technology and security”.

India has so far refused to join NATO’s economic war against Russia and has hosted high-ranking officials from different countries this month, many of which have in some way sought to get New Delhi involved punish Russia.

Just days before Ms von der Leyen’s arrival in India, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also visited the country to “deepen the longstanding partnership” between Britain and the former colony, with the aim of changing India’s Russia Policy. More European officials are expected to join von der Leyen at the Raisina Dialogue conference.

Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine at the end of February, after accusing Kiev of failing to fulfill the terms of the Minsk agreement, first signed in 2014 and eventually Moscow’s recognition of the the self-proclaimed Donbass republics Donetsk and Lugansk. The Minsk agreement brokered by Germany and France was designed to give the breakaway regions special status in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has since demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country and will never join the military bloc. NATO led by the US. Kiev insists the Russian attack is completely unprovoked and rejects claims it is planning to retake the two republics in the Donbass by force.