The European Union intends to introduce an imminent embargo on the importation of Syrian oil in the next several days, a move that the Russian Federation strongly opposes.
In the interim Russian Federation President Dmitrii Medvedev has sent a message to Syrian President Bashir al-Asad calling for "an immediate cessation of violence" and the acceleration of democratic reforms while advocating that the Syrian opposition "should not shrink from dialogue" with the government.
The Kremlin’s pragmatic policy is in increasing opposition to stiffening western governmental opposition to the continued existence of the al-Asad government.
If the embargo on the importation of crude oil from Syria by the European Union countries is implemented, it will represent the West's most painful blow to President al-Asad's regime, as according to the European Commission, European Union countries currently account for 88 percent of Syrian oil sold abroad, Russia’ Kommersant newspaper reported.
Russian Academy of Sciences World Economy and International Relations Institute International Security Center senior research assistant Vladimir Sotnikov said, "The supporters of Bashir al-Asad's earliest departure are motivated by euphoria over the collapse of the regime of Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi. Understanding that they cannot afford another strong-arm action, the opponents of President al-Asad are attempting to remove him from power by means of the introduction of measures that would have a suffocating effect on the Syrian regime. In turn, Russia, which feels disappointed by its Western partners in Libya, will bar the overthrow of President al-Asad to the end."
By. Charles Kennedy, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com
