Zelensky: "Germany and Hungary Keep Buying Russian Oil, Making Money While Other Countries Suffer"

by Lim Juhyeong

Published 15 Apr.2022 09:22(KST)

Updated 15 Apr.2022 10:43(KST)

"An Issue of Survival, Not Business or Money"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, strongly criticized European countries such as Germany that purchase energy resources from Russia.

On the 14th (local time), President Zelensky condemned in an interview with the British public broadcaster 'BBC' that "(countries purchasing Russian oil and natural gas) are making money with the blood of other people."

He directly mentioned Germany and Hungary among European countries, stating, "They are blocking efforts to ban Russian energy imports," and pointed out, "Some of our friends and partners now understand that this is not a matter of business and money, but a matter of survival."

He added, "The United States, the United Kingdom, and some European countries are helping us, but we need (weapons) faster," emphasizing repeatedly, "The keyword is 'now.'"

President Zelensky expressed anger over war crimes committed by Russian forces across Ukraine, saying, "Many people have gone missing. I understand that they have received Russian passports and have been taken to camps or other cities deep inside Russia."

Meanwhile, this is not the first time President Zelensky has criticized some countries, including Germany.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attending and speaking at the plenary session of the Federal Parliament in Berlin, Germany. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the 3rd, during a video speech conducted via the closed messenger 'Telegram,' he said, "This day marks the 14th anniversary of the NATO summit where Germany and France opposed Ukraine's accession," and criticized, "NATO politicians mistakenly believed that rejecting Ukraine's membership would appease Russia and that Russia would then respect Ukraine's sovereignty."

He also criticized, "I want to invite former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Bucha. Come here and see what results the appeasement policy toward Russia over the past 14 years has produced."

In response, former Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a rebuttal statement through a spokesperson, saying, "I still stand by the decision made at that time."

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) is currently considering implementing a joint 'oil import ban (embargo)' by its 27 member states to strengthen economic sanctions against Russia, but it is reported to be facing setbacks due to opposition from some countries such as Germany and Hungary.

In this regard, the BBC also reported that Russia is expected to earn about 250 billion euros (335 trillion won) this year from oil and gas exports.