For immediate release
Every litre of petrol or diesel purchased from Russia prolongs their murderous war against Ukraine. Therefore, cities must do everything possible to reduce oil use. This is the message in a letter signed by 37 civil society organisations and sent to mayors of 56 large European cities, the European Covenant of Mayors, and the Eurocities Association.
Every day, European consumers unwittingly fuel Russia’s war machine. Despite the embargo on Russian oil imposed by the EU, the US, and other G7 nations, the Kremlin has accumulated more than €800 billion in revenue from fossil fuel exports since the start of the war. This has been mainly due to the ineffective enforcement of the oil embargo in practice.
The so-called “refining loophole” allows third countries, such as India, China, and Turkey, to legally export oil products produced from Russian oil in their refineries to the EU and the US.
Russia’s shadow tanker fleet enables it to sell crude oil at prices exceeding the agreed $60-per-barrel price cap. These vessels are effectively uninsured and unaccountable old tankers operating under murky or illegal ownership arrangements, posing a significant risk of accidents.
While the EU, the US, and other G7 nations have significantly reduced their imports of Russian oil, countries like China and India have substantially increased their imports, substituting imports from other oil producers. The EU has also increased imports from these alternative producers. Thus, with some shifts, oil export revenues are still flowing steadily into Russia’s war machine.
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, said:
“Ukraine’s path to victory, and the lives of countless people, depends on cutting off Russia’s fossil fuel war chest. A strict embargo on Russian oil exports is not just a policy; it’s a lifeline for those suffering under relentless aggression. Governments fear rising oil prices, but the cost of stabilizing prices through subsidies is far less than the human and financial toll of ongoing war. It’s time to choose courage over hesitation—end the flow of blood money and help Ukraine finally have its freedom. European Mayors have to help stop funding Russian aggression now.”
William Todts, Executive Director of Transport & Environment, added:
“Oil and gas revenues account for roughly 40% of Russia’s annual budget, a staggering $140 billion. This revenue stream is the lifeblood of Russia’s military, with a 2024 defence budget of $140 billion. Oil exports generate four times more revenue than gas exports. By halting this flow of money, the Russian aggression against Ukraine would certainly end within a very short time.”
Christoph Bals, Policy Director of Germanwatch, said:
“Oil from Russia finances a brutal war, and it heats the global climate. And the recent oil spill accident in the Black Sea demonstrates what environmental damage old tankers with Russian oil can cause around Europe. It is a high risk to our invaluable nature.”
Natalia Gozak, Executive Director of Greenpeace Ukraine, said:
“It’s time to end dependency on fossil fuels, and decisions taken by mayors can play a crucial role in reducing oil use in their cities: they hold the keys to a safer, cleaner, and better future. In parallel with tightening sanctions on Russian oil and the shadow fleet, the bottom-up approach is essential for reducing demand for dirty oil, which threatens our seas, our climate, and our democracy.”
The civil society organisations have asked the mayors to conduct an information campaign, explaining to the public that high oil consumption prolongs Russia’s murderous war against Ukraine, causing untold suffering, claiming the lives of children, annihilating homes, devastating cities, destroying the lives of millions of people, exacerbating soaring inflation, food shortages, and widespread migration around the world.
ENDS
You can view the full letter, signed by 37 civil society organisations, here.
Razom We Stand is a Ukrainian clean energy campaign group active internationally, calling for a total and permanent embargo on Russian fossil fuels and an immediate end to all investment into Russian oil and gas companies by phasing out fossil fuels globally.
Svitlana Romanko has previously appeared in top-tier international press, including Politico, Financial Times, Bloomberg, The Hill, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Le Monde Washington Post, CNN, NBC, Newsweek and more.
For more information, please contact:
Paraic Walker
International Communications Specialist Razom We Stand
[email protected]
