Ukraine to Push Sanctions on Countries Buying Russian Oil, FM Sybiha Warns

Ukraine will move to initiate sanctions against countries fueling Russia’s war through continued oil purchases, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on June 27 at the “Fair Play” conference on sanctions enforcement, The Gaze reports, citing Ukrinform.

Speaking in front of international partners and policymakers, Sybiha underscored that Russia continues to earn billions in revenues from energy exports—funds that directly finance its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

He said Ukraine will advocate for sanctions against nations purchasing the largest volumes of Russian oil and enabling Moscow’s war machine.

“In the near future, we will initiate appropriate sanctions against the countries that purchase the most Russian oil,” Sybiha declared.

He emphasized that Ukraine is calling on partners to impose tougher measures not only in response to battlefield aggression, but also against hybrid attacks targeting maritime infrastructure, undersea cables and pipelines, energy facilities, ports, and civilian vessels.

Sybiha called for a comprehensive crackdown on sanctions evasion and highlighted that components found in downed Russian missiles and drones often originate from at least 19 countries—many of which are part of the global sanctions coalition.

This, he argued, demonstrates loopholes that continue to supply Russia with critical military technology.

“Russia earns significantly more than it spends on its genocidal aggression against Ukraine,” Sybiha said. “It is imperative that we close these gaps and ensure no country profits from complicity in this war.”

To tighten pressure on Moscow, Sybiha proposed additional steps, including:

• A full ban on the import of Russian energy resources and critical raw materials;

• Lowering the price cap on Russian oil exports to $30 per barrel;

• Imposing a complete ban on the Nord Stream gas pipeline;

• Expanding personal sanctions;

• Cracking down on Russia’s shadow fleet, targeting vessels, captains, owners, suppliers, buyers, and the ports facilitating their activities.

He also called for new restrictions on Russian diplomatic access, including a ban on visa issuance to Russian diplomats, non-recognition of non-biometric Russian passports, and a sharp reduction in multiple-entry Schengen visas for Russian citizens.

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