Poroshenko insists on stopping transit of Russian oil through Ukraine via Druzhba pipeline
Ukraine must stop deliveries of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline, MP of Ukraine, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko is convinced.
"Do you know how much oil the Druzhba pipeline pumped in 2024? According to official data, this figure is 300,000 barrels per day. If you multiply by the current price of Urals, and oil costs now quite high, and multiply 300,000 barrels, multiply by 360 days to calculate this, then you will come to a sum that significantly exceeds 7 billion," Poroshenko said on the air of the Pryamiy TV channel.
He stressed that thanks to this transit, the aggressor state receives billions for the war against Ukraine. Poroshenko also called the termination of Russian gas transit to the EU a correct, but belated decision.
"Some 5.5 billion that Russia received per year for gas, and 7.5 billion that Russia receives per year for oil - this comes to 13 billion. What is Russia's military budget? A little more than 130 billion. So, the aggressor country Russia receives 10% of its military budget through the territory of Ukraine, selling oil and gas that are pumped by Ukrainian monopolists," the politician stated.
He also emphasized that now an opportunity is opening up to stop Druzhba. "The oil contract is different from the gas contract. It is not as long-term. Indeed, there was a threat that Russia would be able to find ways to bypass Ukraine. Ukraine will lose money for transit, but will not stop the flow of oil. Now are completely different times. Because earlier Russia used the services of the so-called shadow fleet, when various ships from offshore states took out Russian oil and delivered it to consumers in the Global South. India, China - they made up the largest part of the market where Russia delivered sanctioned oil. But the situation has changed," Poroshenko stated.
According to him, after the Finnish court made a decision to arrest a shadow tanker registered in the Cook Islands, and convincing evidence was found that this tanker was directly involved in the destruction of electric and communication cables in the Baltic Sea, the unity of countries in strengthening sanctions, arresting and stopping the shadow fleet has become much greater.
"So the application of these measures will deprive Russia of 10% of its military budget. Imagine 10% less ammunition, 10% less troops, 10% fewer bombs, 10% fewer missiles. In the near future, we will initiate a corresponding draft resolution in parliament, which will oblige the government to make the necessary decision to stop oil transit through the territory of Ukraine and, accordingly, reduce Russian exports by $7 billion. And I really hope that this initiative will be supported by President Zelenskyy. That will be effective cooperation," Poroshenko summed up.