The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olexandr Mischenko said Ukraine is "not happy" with some countries' move to import crude oil from Russia amid the oil crisis but the Philippines managed to explain its situation. The Philippines has asked the United States for an extension of a sanctions waiver to allow it to buy more Russian oil and petroleum products, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin recently said. "Of course, we are not happy that some country uses Russian crude oil. We understand specific situation," Mischenko said in an interview with a select group of reporters. "We reiterate that any cooperation with aggressor, it brings the possibility to prolong the existence of this aggressor, because Russian gain money through this oil only for war, that means that you supply aggressor," he added. Mischenko said Ukraine asked their partners, or the countries which support Ukraine "to look for diversity and to escape from dependence with Russia because if you have deal with aggressor, you became theoretically part of this situation, supporting." "But fortunately, the leadership of Philippines fully understand the situation and they're looking for other possibilities," Mischenko said. "We understand that it is a small quantity. But nevertheless, as I mentioned, Russia tried to use conflict in Gulf to increase benefit and use it only for war with Ukraine," he added. Garin said the Department of Energy has coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs for the request of an extension or another window for the Philippines to import oil from Russia. "They have communicated this with our ambassador in the US. We are awaiting their response, but we are very positive on getting this other window,” she said. The Philippines’ sole oil refinery, Petron, secured nearly 2.5 million barrels last month after seeing at least four million barrels in shipments canceled since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Washington in March eased some sanctions tied to Russia’s war on Ukraine to allow countries to purchase Russian oil that was already at sea until April 11 to stabilize energy markets, following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the world’s crude trade.
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