Boris urges West to end 'addiction' to Russian energy ahead of trip to Saudi Arabia

15 March 2022, 06:20

Boris Johnson has said the West must stop relying on Russia for energy.
Boris Johnson has said the West must stop relying on Russia for energy. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Boris Johnson has urged the West to end its "addiction" to Russian energy ahead of his trip to Saudi Arabia, where he will push for increased oil and gas production.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Prime Minister also admitted that a "terrible mistake" had been made when Mr Putin was allowed to "get away with" annexing Crimea in 2014, with Western leaders becoming "more dependent" on Russian power sources.

Mr Johnson said the "addiction" on their fuel had "emboldened" Mr Putin to bomb civilians during his invasion of Ukraine, while at the same time profiting from soaring global oil and gas prices.

He added that there needed to be a "series of big new bets" on alternatives such as nuclear power to make sure the UK's energy supply was "no longer at the mercy of bullies like Putin".

However, the PM also levelled with readers, saying that diverging from Russian power would be "painful" and that financial assistance offered by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to help pay with rising bills this year could not be afforded "for long".

Read more: Over 43,000 Brits sign up to welcome Ukrainian refugees into their homes

Read more: Putin's 'lying to you': Editor storms Russian state TV broadcast in anti-war protest

Zelenskyy adviser says Russia is softening on red-lines in Ukraine

Mr Johnson said in the Telegraph: "We cannot go on like this. The world cannot be subject to this continuous blackmail.

"As long as the West is economically dependent on Putin, he will do all he can to exploit that dependence.

"And that is why that dependence must - and will - now end."

It comes as he is set to visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, after announcing that the UK would be cutting off Russian oil imports last week.

Mr Johnson will hold talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the hope that Saudi Arabia can raise its production of oil and gas to make up for the reduced reliance on Russia.

He is jetting to Riyadh in a bid to secure the route to diverging from Moscow energy supplies - but has faced calls to scrap the trip altogether over human rights concerns, particularly over recent reports of a mass execution of Saudi prisoners.

Before his evening flight, he is due to host leaders from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), an alliance of northern European nations.

He will meet with representatives from Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump reacts after July 13 assassination attempt

Trump struck by bullet during assassination attempt, FBI says

France was rocked by a series of attacks against railway lines early on Friday

Celine Dion kicks off Paris Olympics in rain-drenched opening ceremony after France rocked by rail arson attacks

Highs of 27C are coming this weekend

Heatwave on the way as temperatures to hit 27C this weekend - will your area get some sunshine?

The Park Fire burns along a road in California

Man arrested over California fire sparked by burning car pushed into gully

Israel has hit out at Britain's decision

Israel hits out at Starmer for dropping Britain's challenge to international arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Justin Timberlake at a premiere

Timberlake ‘not intoxicated’ and drink-drive charge should be dismissed – lawyer

What is your least favourite chocolate bars?

Brits divided over UK’s ‘worst chocolate bar’ with one Christmas classic branded ‘disgusting’

The French weather has been wet ahead of the opening ceremony

'Disaster' as flood warning issued for Paris ahead of Olympic opening ceremony, after arsonists target French railways

A crying woman at the site of a mudslide in Ethiopia

Ethiopia declares three days of mourning as toll of mudslide victims increases

Hongchi Xiao has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Danielle Carr-Gomm

Alternative healer found guilty of manslaughter of pensioner in slapping therapy workshop

Kennie Carter

Four teens jailed over revenge murder of 16-year-old Kennie Carter in Manchester, as heartbroken mother pays tribute

Graziano Di Prima has been placed under medical supervision

Ex-Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima 'placed under medical supervision' after being axed over Zara McDermott abuse claims

Insolvent Ted Baker could be set to close all its stores in a matter of weeks

Ted Baker to ‘close all stores’ in a matter of weeks as hundreds face unemployment

Nasa may have found a sign of life on Mars

Nasa finds Mars rock that 'may have hosted life', with mysterious 'features we've never seen before'

Barack Obama with Kamala Harris

Barack and Michelle Obama give endorsement for Kamala Harris’s White House bid

The police officer is facing a criminal investigation

Police officer who kicked man in the head in Manchester airport under criminal investigation for assault