Russian Embassy says Britain is holding back the development of the Global South

The sanctions imposed by the UK on oil tankers from various countries, introduced under the pretext of anti-Russian struggle, are primarily aimed at curbing the development of the countries of the Global South. The Russian Embassy in London said on December 17.

"Britain's recent restrictions on oil tankers flying the flags of various African, Asian, Caribbean, Central American and Pacific states are yet another futile attempt to impede international trade and the development of the Global South," the diplomatic mission said in its Telegram channel.

It is specified that these actions will not affect the flow of goods and will even increase "volatility in the global energy market". In addition, the embassy added that such actions of the British government can negatively affect the cost of electricity for households, because similar actions previously showed exactly this result.

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Earlier in the day, the UK put 20 ships and two companies on the sanctions list for the Russian Federation. The restrictions were explained by the fact that these ships and companies allegedly participated in the transportation of Russian oil or oil products to third countries.

The day before, December 16, the EU foreign ministers approved the 15th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. The list of restrictions includes 54 individuals and 30 organizations. Restrictions were also imposed on 52 ships. On December 17, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that the EU was preparing the 16th package of sanctions against Russia.

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Svetlana Zhurova, reacting to the next EU sanctions, said that Russia has already gotten used to the regular introduction of new restrictions and is trying to quickly adjust to the new realities. On November 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the volume of Western anti-Russian sanctions unprecedented.

Before that, on November 25, the UK authorities imposed new sanctions against 30 Russian oil tankers, as well as the companies Alfa Insurance and VSK Insurance House.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.