For immediate release
Kyiv, Ukraine
Today, Razom We Stand, an internationally active Ukrainian climate NGO, has officially called upon the UK government to terminate a controversial gas supply contract the previous conservative government signed with TotalEnergies. This contract, created by the previous Conservative government, is valued at up to £8 billion and raises significant ethical and geopolitical concerns.
On July 17, 2024, Razom We Stand sent a detailed letter to the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, urging the cancellation of the contract with TotalEnergies.
The letter highlights several key points:
- Ethical Implications: Continuing this contract would channel billions of pounds of British taxpayers’ money to TotalEnergies, a company that has previously been accused of helping fund war atrocities in Ukraine and is still importing Russian gas to Europe, directly undermining the UK’s firm stance against Russian aggression.
- Geopolitical Risks: Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, Russia has amassed over $700 billion from fossil fuel exports. These profits fund Russia’s military-industrial complex and brutal attacks on Ukraine. TotalEnergies’ involvement in developing new Siberian Arctic LNG gas fields further exacerbates this issue.
- Energy Independence: True energy independence for the UK cannot be achieved while maintaining ties with companies entangled with Russian energy supplies. The current contract contradicts the UK’s emphasis on avoiding vulnerabilities to petro-dictatorial regimes like Putin’s.
- Support for Ukraine’s Renewable Energy Transition: Ukraine has the potential to become a significant player in renewable energy. Supporting Ukraine’s renewable energy sector aligns with the UK’s goals for a sustainable and secure energy future, providing significant financial revenues and competitive advantages for European and UK renewable energy businesses.
Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Director of Razom We Stand, said, “By maintaining this Conservative Government contract with TotalEnergies, British taxpayers’ money is poised to flow to TotalEnergies, a company that has been collaborating with Russia and is thus contributing funds to Russia’s war chest and complicit in the death of thousands of innocent Ukrainians. This is not just a matter of energy procurement; it’s about standing against the atrocities committed in Ukraine. Cancelling this contract is a moral imperative and a powerful statement that the UK will not support any entity that aids and abets Russian aggression and contributes to the death of innocent Ukrainians.”
Razom We Stand has urged the UK government to act swiftly and decisively to cancel this contract, which was put in place by the previous conservative government. Emphasizing that allowing it to proceed sends a dangerous message that economic considerations outweigh moral and ethical responsibilities. Terminating this contract would demonstrate the new Labour government’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine and upholding international law.
ENDS
Razom We Stand is a Ukrainian organisation 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 appeared in top-tier international press, including Financial Times, Bloomberg, The Guardian, Politico, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, The Hill, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, and more.
Press contact:
Paraic Walker
International Communications Specialist Razom We Stand
[email protected]
