Zelensky calls for global boycott of Russian products, including oil
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for harsher punishments against Russia, calling for new international sanctions and a global boycott on Russian goods — including oil.
Since invading Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no sign of de-escalating his military’s devastating attacks there, and in response, countries across the world have imposed sanctions, leaving the former Soviet republic isolated.
Speaking in a video address on Monday, Zelensky called for an international trade embargo on Russia and said economic pressure needs to be increased. “If the invasion continues and Russia has not abandoned its plans against Ukraine, then a new sanctions package is needed,” he said. This includes “a boycott of Russian exports, in particular the rejection of oil and oil products from Russia.”
The Ukrainian president said Russia should also not receive goods and services from abroad “if [Russia] doesn’t want to abide by civilized rules.” He added, “It can be called an embargo, or it can be just morality.”
Businesses and retailers have followed suit and have boycotted Russian products. Bartenders across the U.S. have pulled Russian-made products from their shelves, though experts said the move is mostly symbolic, as it will have little financial impact. A number of international sports federations have relocated major events from Russian cities. The Champions League Final, due to begin on May 28, has been moved from St. Petersburg to Paris. The Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for September, has been canceled.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN on Sunday that the administration is working with its European counterparts to “look in a coordinated way at the prospect of banning the import of Russian oil.” Blinken, who spoke from Ukraine’s neighboring country Moldova, said the U.S. was adding sanctions “virtually every day.”
So far the U.S. has imposed sanctions targeting those who, President Biden said, “line their pockets with the Russian people’s money.” The financial sanctions have targeted at least eight Russian elites, including Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Putin ally and billionaire Alisher Usmanov, and their families in an attempt to stop oligarchs from transferring assets to family members in a bid to avoid the restrictions.
The White House said the sanctions were designed to put more pressure on Putin by targeting his inner circle. “We want him to feel the squeeze,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “We want the people around him to feel the squeeze.”
