A few days before the end of 2022, marked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there is no sign of respite. The Kremlin ordered, Tuesday, December 27, a ban on the delivery of Russian oil to countries, in particular European countries, having decided to cap the prices charged by Russia. On the ground, new air alerts sounded across Ukraine, while Moscow unveiled spending of nearly 500 million euros aimed at preventing any invasion of its territory. Here is what to remember from this new day of conflict.
A Russian Response to Oil Cap Measures
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Tuesday prohibiting, from February 1, the sale of oil to foreign countries which have decided to cap the price of Russian black gold. In early December, the 27 member states of the European Union, the G7 countries and Australia agreed on a ban on the import of Russian oil sold at a price above 60 dollars per barrel. The objective of such a measure is to deprive Moscow of significant revenues to finance its military intervention in Ukraine.
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The Kremlin decree specifies that this retaliatory measure is planned for a period of five months, “until July 1, 2023”. Only “a special decision” of Vladimir Putin himself will be able to allow the delivery of Russian oil to one or more countries which have set up the price ceiling in recent weeks. Russia is the world’s second largest oil exporter and was, in 2021, the second largest supplier of black gold to European Union countries. According to European leaders, 90% of Russian oil exports to the EU will already be stopped by the end of 2022.
Bombing alerts across Ukraine
The entire Ukrainian territory was placed on bombing alert on Tuesday morning, according to Ukrainian media and the specialized site alerts.in.ua. Sirens also sounded in kyiv, the capital of the country placed under close surveillance. Explosions were heard around the southern city of Odessa, several regional media reported, citing possible interceptions of missiles by the anti-aircraft defense system.
Electrical equipment supplied to kyiv by Paris
They were eagerly awaited. The first electrical transformers have been delivered by France to Ukraine, announced the Quai d’Orsay. In mid-December, an envelope of 125 million euros was released specifically to support Ukrainians during the winter. “France and its partners continue to implement the commitments made at the international solidarity conference for Ukraine on December 13”assured the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Millions spent on Russian fortifications
Russia has allocated 34 billion rubles (more than 450 million euros) for the construction of fortifications in its border regions with Ukraine, said Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Michoustin. This announcement comes after several attacks by the Ukrainian army on Russian territory, including one on Sunday against an air base.
At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the United States of prolonging the war in Ukraine by providing assistance to the invaded country. “The ball is in court” kyiv and Washington to determine the duration of the conflict, he warned in an interview with the agency Mug (in Russian).