Energy Minister urges West to focus on three key areas of energy opposition to Russia

Restoring the security of nuclear facilities, an oil embargo and stabilizing energy markets are the three key areas of opposition to Russia in the energy sector, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko said at the IEA Ministerial Meeting in Paris on Thursday.

"Haluschenko emphasized that the first direction of countering Russian aggression should be the issue of restoring the security of nuclear facilities. The minister of energy of Ukraine called on his colleagues to make every effort to force Russia to withdraw its mercenaries from Zaporizhia and Chornobyl nuclear power plants," the ministry said.

According to Haluschenko, the international community should also limit dependence on Russian oil, gas and coal, prohibit the development of Russian gas infrastructure through sanctions such as an oil embargo or a ban on Russian products containing CO2. In turn, this will contribute to the achievement of the goals of the European Green Deal and decarbonization.

"Thirdly, it is very important to stabilize energy markets. We have various tools at hand: to open energy markets to other traders, to help the market rebuild, to introduce additional taxes on energy excess profits, to open up oil reserves," he said.

He stressed Ukraine's readiness to contribute in this direction by offering its underground gas storage facilities and excess electricity generation to stabilize prices.

Source: www.en.interfax.com.ua