Why otherwise would Exxon Mobil decline to comment on whether its Dutch refinery in Rotterdam is using Russian crude oil (see Reuters link below)….
In a contrasting move to its pressuring of European allies to not buy Russian oil against the backdrop of the ongoing Ukraine crisis, the US increased crude oil supplies from Russia by 43 percent, or 100,000 barrels per day, over the past week, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Mikhail Popov told Russian media on Sunday, with critics pointing out that the US pursues its own interests at the costs of its European allies.
According to the Russian official, Europe should expect similar “surprises” from the US.
“Moreover, Washington allowed its companies to export mineral fertilizers from Russia, recognizing them as essential goods,” Popov added.
The US and European allies have been exploring banning imports of Russian oil since Russia-Ukraine conflict started, despite the fact that Europe relies on Russia for crude oil and natural gas.
Europe faces pressure from both the US and the UK to impose a ban on Russian oil. Britain has announced that it would phase out Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
Preparedness: Protect your home and car with the best lightning and EMP protection available
Meanwhile, US Treasury has set deadline to end deals on oil and coal imports from Russia until April 22.
Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times that the US policy toward Russia is centered on two aspects – one being liberalism to counter Russia’s political system and collective ideology and the other being pragmatism to serve US national interests.
“Out of the need to ideologically confront Russia, the US woos allies to sanction Russia, while out of the need of reality, the US buys Russian energy at a cheaper price and sells them to Europe at a higher price to serve the interests of domestic oil interest groups. In the end, Europe becomes the victim – European wealth flows to the US and helps consolidate the dollar’s advantage against euro,” Cui said.
US liquefied natural gas exports rose nearly 16 percent last month to a record high, according to preliminary Refinitiv data, with shipments to Europe continuing to dominate.
Preparedness: Use this filter to drink clean water at home!
US LNG is in high demand as European countries try to cut gas imports from Russia after its military operation in Ukraine, while also looking to rebuild diminishing inventories.
Local media reported that Europe has been the top importer of US LNG for four consecutive months, taking about 65 percent of US exports.
In a joint agreement, the US announced on March 25 to provide at least 15 billion cubic meters more of liquefied natural gas to Europe this year, seeking to end the bloc’s dependence on Russian energy exports. These additional volumes of LNG are expected to increase going forward, the White House said in a statement.
Mick Wallace, a member of the European Parliament, tweeted a video of his parliamentary speech, saying that Europe should indeed wean itself off its dependence on Russian energy, but must not replace it with “filthy fracked Gas” of the US, which has invaded other countries more than any other country in the world, according to media reports.
Analysts said the biggest beneficiary from Russia-Ukraine crisis and ban on Russian oil is the US while some netizens mocked the US move as ensnaring its European allies.
“I believe the target of the US [in sanctioning Russia] is not Russia at all, but European countries,” commented one Chinese netizen.
By buying oil from Russia and reselling it to Europe, the US can make a profit. At least all the Swiss traders do… By the way, it would be interesting to know if any Americans or US companies have shares in Russian oil companies. I bet you many big US corps and banks are shareholders of Russian companies… [Global Times, ANI, Reuters, NZZ]
StrangeSounds.org has been banned from AD NETWORKS! You can support me here…
The following links feature products I recommend you to add to your preparedness plan to help you and protect you during an emergency:
- Protect your home and car with the best lightning and EMP protection available…
- Get a satellite phone to communicate with your loved ones when internet and phones are down…
- According to a new report, about 50% of world’s water is ‘too polluted’ for swimming, fishing or drinking. Use this filter to drink clean water at home!
- Qfiles is another great site for alternative news and information…
It’s “Ukraine” not “The Ukraine”.
Do I call Australia the Australia????
Your an uneducated parrot.
Considering all the money spent on their defense only to be told we were the bad guys it doesn’t really bother me.If they paid for their own defense the way we do they wouldn’t have the money for their social welfare programs.Those same programs they complain about us not having.
No ukraines hands aren’t clean.Putin isn’t always wrong either.This was a ethnic regional conflict
The citizens in the contested regions are ethnic russians.They were considered ukraine citizens by nationality.They did what they were supposed to do when you know who started terrorizing them.They asked for help from their government Ukraine.Ukraines answer send in azov.I don’t blame them for asking Russia for help.
Putin warned them of consequences.Ok they didn’t believe the Saber rattling.Hey they are amassing at your border in numbers too high to be a training exercise.This should have been when you quickly and quietly got your most vulnerable out.Followed by the rest.Putin isn’t going to let you know who have quarter even if it means bombing it back to the stone age.
Get off the ‘Russia is bad’ bandwagon. Actually, it’s the Ukraine that’s been the evil empire. Everything you know is wrong and upside-down.