Ursula von der Leyen lays out further sanctions on Russia

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The European Parliament has called for an immediate ban on all of Russia’s hydrocarbons after 413 MEPs voted on the motion.

MEP Guy Verhofstadt tweeted: “European Parliament want immediate and full fossil fuel embargo!

“No gas, no oil, no coal. 

“No European money for Putin’s army!”

Director-General for Communication and Spokesperson of the European Parliament Jaume Duch said: “Overwhelming European Parliament majority calls for an immediate and full embargo on Russian imports of oil, coal, nuclear fuel and gas.

“413 votes for, 93 against, 46 absentions.”

But this comes as the European Commission (separate from the EU Parliament), headed by Ms von der Leyen, is still hesitating on banning Russian oil and gas ban.

Spanish MEP Luis Garicano launched a scathing attack on the EU Commission for this delay, arguing that it is “not even trying”. 

He tweeted on Wednesday: “President von der Leyen, a gas ban is possible. We aren’t even trying.

“If Europe does not stop funding Putin, history will not see us as bystanders. History will know we were complicit.”

He went on in a speech in the EU Parliament: “Our energy addiction, our money, allows the killing of Ukrainians, the killing of fellow Europeans whose only crime was to believe in our freedoms. 

“Is it not clear that our gas is tainted with blood?”

He continued: “The package announced today by Ms von der Leyen means Europe will continue funding Russia’s army.”

It came after Ms von der Leyen announced sanctions on coal yesterday, but appeared to clearly instate a ban on Russian oil and gas, which Europe spends 25 times more on importing.

The bloc hands Putin billions for energy imports, getting 40 percent of its gas supplies from Russia alone. 

And last year, the bloc mported a staggering €48.5billion (£38billion) of crude oil in 2021, and €22.5billion (£19billion) of petroleum oils other than crude.

This is why Mr Garicano was furious that von der Leyen had only made mention of banning Russin coal, which cost the bloc €5.2billion (£4.3billion) last year.

This is a breaking story. More to follow.

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