world

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday called on EU leaders meeting at the summit to “stop their bickering” to quickly adopt a sixth package of sanctions once morest Moscow, in particular an embargo on Russian oil blocked by Budapest.

• Read also: LIVE | 96th day of war in Ukraine

• Read also: Biden rules out delivering rocket launchers to Ukraine

• Read also: Germany ready to facilitate the reception of Russian opponents and journalists

“The quarrels in Europe must stop (…), Europe must show its strength. Because Russia only understands the argument of force,” said the Ukrainian leader by videoconference.

Unlike his last video intervention at a European summit in March, during which he attacked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, he refrained from stigmatizing anyone.

“I’m not accusing any of you,” he said. “What is happening is solely the fault of the Russian state.”

European leaders were trying in Brussels to find an agreement on a gradual embargo by the end of the year on Russian oil, which would allow the adoption of the 6th package of sanctions. But Hungary conditioned its green light on guarantees on its supply.

The draft conclusions of the summit, consulted by AFP, provide for the adoption “without delay” of the new set of sanctions, including this embargo, “with a temporary exemption for crude transported by pipeline” in order to lift the veto of Budapest . The extension of the embargo to pipeline deliveries will then be discussed “as soon as possible”.

“We are confident and determined (on an agreement). Now, there is always an unknown who is Viktor Orban”, acknowledged French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.

The Hungarian sovereigntist leader has since his arrival made new demands. “There is for the moment no compromise” acceptable, he warned, demanding assurances in the event of a cut in the Druzhba oil pipeline which supplies his country via Ukraine.

Hungary, a landlocked country without access to the sea, depends for 65% of its consumption on oil transported by Druzhba. It had opposed the initial proposal for an embargo, unless it benefited from a period of at least four years and around 800 million euros in European funding to adapt its refineries.

It now claims to be able to be supplied with Russian oil by sea if the arrival by pipeline were to be stopped. “This is the guarantee we need,” said Mr. Orban.

Unanimity is required for the adoption of sanctions. The draft conclusions are submitted for discussion to the Heads of State and Government.

According to a diplomat, an agreement on a gradual embargo confined to oil transported by boat (i.e. 2/3 of European purchases of Russian oil) might be formally ratified “probably this week” following a political green light from the leaders.

Negotiations will then take place to also stop imports via Druzhba (1/3 of European supplies), whose northern branch serves Germany, Austria and Poland, and the southern branch serves Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. No deadline though.

Berlin and Warsaw have also pledged to stop, even if they are not forced to, their imports by Druzhba, according to European sources. In total, 90% of Russian oil exports to the EU would be affected.

For Moscow, however, it is easier to find other buyers for its exports by tankers than by pipeline.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas was cautious regarding an agreement at this summit. “We will try to achieve this by” the next European Council in June, she said, pleading for “a realistic approach”.

Member States fear that the pipeline supply exemption will distort the conditions of competition for oil purchases.

Under negotiation for a month, the new sanctions package also provides for an expansion of the EU blacklist to around 60 personalities, including the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill.

It includes the exclusion of three Russian banks from the Swift international financial system, including Sberbank, the country’s main institution.

The two-day summit is to address the consequences of the war-related food crisis, the continent’s energy transformation to do without Russian gas and a proposal for financial aid of up to nine billion euros to Ukraine in 2022. .

From a good source, it was confirmed that the embargo will initially cover oil transported by ship, with an exemption for pipelines. A transition period until the end of the year, to which would be added eighteen months of exemption from the embargo, would be well planned for countries like Hungary, very dependent on the Druzhba pipeline, but these elements must be finalized by the ambassadors (Coreper). The countries which, like Belgium or the Netherlands, feared unfair competition from Germany, which also receives Russian oil through the northern branch of this pipeline, obtained from Berlin and Warsaw a written commitment that they give up this crude before the end of the year.

This agreement should make it possible to unblock the sixth package of sanctions once morest Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The package also includes the exclusion of Russian banks, including the largest of them, Sberbank, from the SWIFT interbank exchange system, the banning of three major Russian state broadcasters from the EU, and new individual sanctions on officials accused of war crimes.

[앵커]

As international food raw material prices rise day following day in the followingmath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the domestic self-employed are also increasingly being hit.

Whole chicken shops, loved by men and women of all ages, are also deeply troubled by the soaring prices of flour and cooking oil.

In particular, unlike large franchises, local alley shops are not easy to raise prices, which is adding to the burden.

We will connect with reporters on the spot to find out more. Reporter Song Jae-in!

[기자]

Yes, this is Cheongnyangni Chicken Alley.

[앵커]

It is said that the steep price increase is also increasing the burden on whole chicken houses. How much is it?

[기자]

As the number of customers increased during lunchtime, the whole chicken alley was filled with a fragrant smell.

Each of these merchants have busy hands, but on the other side of their faces, there is concern.

This is because the price of raw materials for food such as cooking oil and flour has soared day by day.

This is 18 liters of cooking oil that this whole chicken house uses three times a day.

About two months ago, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was 40,000 won, but now it has jumped to 60,000 won.

On average, regarding 100 chickens need to be fried a day, so it is impossible to use less just because the price of oil has risen.

This is why the owner, who has been keeping this place for nearly 50 years, sighed, saying it was the first time he was worried regarding the price of frying oil.

It’s no different with other stores.

After Indonesia stopped exporting palm oil, a representative oil for frying,

The pressure on whole chicken houses is growing as the price of cooking oil has risen overall due to the war in Ukraine, a major exporter of sunflower and canola seeds.

Here, the price of flour for frying has already risen, so the blow is even greater.

However, it is not easy for alley shops to raise prices like major franchise chicken companies.

I’m worried that even regulars will leave if they lose their competitive edge when it comes to cheap food for the common people, so let’s hear it for yourself.

[안경자 / 통닭집 사장 : (매출에) 영향이 많지. 다 올라갔으니까…. 근데 그냥 재래시장이고 사람들이 찾으니까 이게 값 올리기는 힘들어요.]

In addition, the government recently introduced price measures such as a tariff exemption policy, which is also a factor that makes it difficult to make a decision to raise prices.

In the face of the prolonged international raw material price rise, the neighborhood alley business district is experiencing double hardship.

Until now, this is YTN Song Jae-in from the Chicken Alley in Cheongnyangni.

YTN Song Jae-in ([email protected])

※ ‘Your report becomes news’
[카카오톡] Search YTN to add a channel
[전화] 02-398-8585
[메일] [email protected]

[저작권자(c) YTN 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]