[ad_1]
The conflict in Ukraine, in its fourth month, is causing disruptions around the world – from what President Joe Biden calls “Putin’s oil price hike” to American consumers, to an imminent global food crisis.
On Wednesday, President Biden said he was taking steps to try to offset the consequences, something he said he would focus on as they meet with G-7 and NATO leaders next week in Europe, for two important meetings and more. after the trip to the Middle East. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from the White House.
President Joe Biden says he understands that no one likes to spend more on vital goods, such as fuel and food, adding that painful price increases are an inevitable result of a brutal conflict on the other side of the world: attack by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.
“We cut off Russian oil in the United States and our partners in Europe did the same, knowing we would see higher fuel prices. We could have turned a blind eye to Putin’s assassinations and the price of fuel would not have risen as it has risen. “But it would be wrong for us to do that.”
Fuel prices have risen around the world, partly due to harsh sanctions on Russian oil and goods and partly due to the pandemic, which has disrupted supply and production chains. President Biden will meet with Saudi Arabia leaders in July, in a bid to persuade the global oil cartel to boost output. Domestically, he is calling for Congress to abolish the federal gas tax and for states to suspend their fuel taxes.
Republicans oppose such a thing.
“What the administration is suggesting, of course, is another hoax, another temporary aid, something they know will not be passed in Congress,” said Republican Sen. John Thune.
Putin also does not appear to be backing down.
“We are proud that during the special military operation our fighters are acting with courage, professionalism, as true heroes. Russian soldiers of different nationalities fight side by side. “In the belief in our cause, in the great popular support that our soldiers enjoy, lies the great invincible force of Russia,” said President Putin.
Analysts say President Biden’s focus on the economic consequences of the war is critical to maintaining public support.
“It’s logical for President Biden to focus on price increases because of Putin. As the war continues, we see that it affects the different economies of NATO countries in different ways. And the rise in gas station prices here in the United States is significant. How do I maintain support for a war? How do you keep the public allied as the war goes on, and people start to feel the consequences, in different ways, and feel it in their pockets? “This is a major challenge for NATO and the United States,” said Kathleen McInnis of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The White House says higher prices are not the only consequence of war; Russia is also blocking Ukrainian grain exports, causing worldwide upheaval, as far as Africa. This is likely to be a topic when the leaders of the world’s seven richest countries meet next week in Germany.
“President Putin uses food as a weapon. Let’s tell the facts as they are: He has imposed a blockade on the Black Sea so that nothing can escape from the sea, and this is, of course, the way Ukraine has historically extracted its grain from world markets. . “President Biden is working with leaders around the world to see if there are other ground-based methods that can be used,” said John Kirby of the National Security Council.
The President of Ukraine says that this support has an impact as his country continues to fight against Russian forces.
“The lives of thousands of people depend directly on the speed of action of our partners – on the speed with which they implement their decisions to help Ukraine,” said President Zelenskyy.
But as this war passes in the fifth month, the highest price of all is being paid by ordinary people.
top channel
[ad_2]
Source link
