Not all our allies currently in position to join us: US official on banning import of Russian oil
Washington(PTI): The United States administration has said that it consulted its European allies before banning the import of Russian oil and gas while stressing that it recognizes not all of its partners were in a position to follow suit.
By an executive order signed on Tuesday, Biden banned the import of Russian crude oil and certain petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and coal.
This step is aimed at depriving Russia of billions of dollars in revenues from US drivers and consumers annually. Last year, the US imported nearly 7,00,000 barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products from Russia daily.
"In taking this action, we consulted with European allies closely, but we do not expect them and did not ask them to join us.
"The United States is able to take this step because of our strong domestic energy production and infrastructure and we recognize that not all of our allies and partners are currently in a position to join us," said a senior official in the Joe Biden administration.
The executive order also banned new US investment in Russia's energy sector, to ensure that American companies and investors are not underwriting Vladimir Putin's efforts to expand energy production inside Russia, the White House said.
It mentioned that Americans will also be prohibited from financing or enabling foreign companies that are investing to produce energy in Russia.
The official underscored that the ban is immediate.
"We block any new purchases of Russian energy. We do allow, though, for wind downs of deliveries for existing purchases that were already contracted for. No new contracts will be allowed. For existing contracts, we are allowing a 45-day wind-down period," the official explained.
"In terms of domestic impact, the reality is Vladimir Putin's unprovoked and brutal war has led to higher energy prices and raised costs for Americans at home -- about 75 cents at the gas pump -- since he began to amass troops at the Ukrainian border in early November," the official said.
Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities.
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If you choose AAP on May 25, I won't have to go back to jail: CM Kejriwal at roadshow
New Delhi, May 12: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow in Delhi on Sunday said if people choose the Aam Aadmi Party on May 25, he won't have to go back to jail.
Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal held a roadshow in Moti Nagar in support of the party's candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat Somnath Bharti.
He also held a roadshow in Uttam Nagar along with Mann to garner support for the party's West Delhi candidate Mahabal Mishra.
"I have to go back to jail after 20 days. If you choose jhadu (AAP's symbol broom), I won't have to go back to jail," the chief minister said at the roadshow in Moti Nagar.
The AAP national convenor is out on an interim bail till June 1. He has to surrender on June 2.
"They sent me to jail because I worked for you. The BJP does not want that the work of Delhi people is done," he said.
Kejriwal alleged that his insulin injections were stopped for 15 days inside Tihar jail.
"If I went back to jail, the BJP would stop your work, free electricity, degrade schools and shut down hospitals and Mohalla Clinics," he charged.
He also asked people to vote for Bharti and claimed that he would be available for people even at odd hours.
At the roadshow in West Delhi, he said that people are saying that God has brought him out of jail to defeat the BJP.
"There is dictatorship in the country. We have to end this dictatorship," he added.
The polling for all the seven seats in Delhi will take place on May 25.
