Boris Johnson calls Vladimir Putin a DRUG PUSHER who is ‘feeding’ addiction to cheap petrol while defending Saudi Arabia trip

BORIS Johnson today compared Vladimir Putin to a drug dealer who has made the West dependent on his oil and gas supplies.

The prime minister said the Kremlin is feeding an addiction to cheap energy, but European countries in particular need to get rid of the addiction.

3

3

Meeting with Nordic leaders in London, he stressed the need to build “the broadest possible coalition” to respond to Russia.

He said: “Vladimir Putin on the last yeast was like a pusher feeding an addiction to his hydrocarbons in Western countries.

“We need to get rid of this addiction.”

The prime minister said the West must “learn our lesson” and avoid ever again being in a position of being “blackmailed” by Putin.

But he said the invasion of Ukraine had sparked a sea change in Europe as EU countries pledged to end their dependence on Moscow.

Brussels has unveiled plans to cut imports from Russia by two-thirds by the end of the year.

Boris said: “Listen to what all the other European countries are saying now. Three weeks ago they wouldn’t have said it was possible.

“A month ago before the invasion, everyone was like, ‘Oh, no, we’ll make it, we’ll never make it’.

“Now, after what Putin did in Ukraine, you see European colleagues coming to the table.”

🔵 Read ours Live blog Russia – Ukraine for the latest updates

The prime minister said it was “incredible” that Putin’s brutality had dragged Europe down to a level of brutality not seen since World War II.

He added: “We must ensure that we form the strongest and broadest possible coalition to ensure that Vladimir Putin does not succeed.”

To do that, Western European nations “need to wean ourselves from Russian hydrocarbons and the UK is helping to do that,” he stressed.

Boris also defended his upcoming trip to the Gulf, saying it was part of efforts to end energy dependency on Moscow.

PM to ask oil-rich kingdoms to turn on taps – Rishi Sunak to cut fuel tax as hopes rise

The PM and Chancellor are taking a two-pronged approach to resolving the post-pre-trial crisis Prices hit another record of 163.5 p.a. liters for petrol and 173.4 p.a. for diesel.

Mr Johnson will urge the desert rulers to increase crude oil production to lower the global price.

And Tory MPs are increasingly confident Mr. Sunak will deduct “at least a few cents” from the fuel obligation in its spring statement.

A cut next week would be a big win for The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign that froze the hated 57.95p levy for 12 years.

Experts warned prices could reach £2.40 and £3 per liter this year Ukraine warto pressure the government to intervene.

MPs were told crude oil prices could rise another 50 percent if the West shuts down Putin and looks elsewhere for supplies.

Yesterday France became the latest country to cut fuel taxes and announced a rebate to help struggling motorists with rising costs.

she followed by Ireland and Portugal by saving 0.15 euros per liter for the next four months.

Nathan Piper, Investec’s Head of Oil and Gas, told the Treasury Committee, “For consumers, prepare for another hike in fuel prices in 2022 – they will rise sharply before demand kicks in.” That’s not meant to be frivolous, though. . . Pick a number.”

In a sign of the move, a Treasury Department source said: “We’re keeping an eye on all taxes.” Any tariff cut will likely be paid for by massive sales tax increases on high fuel prices.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson will hold his nose this week human rights violations and are asking Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to increase production in their backyards.

Crude oil prices edged down yesterday, but war-related Russian supply cuts risk months of volatility.

A surge in Gulf production would help lower the global price, but last night activists accused the prime minister of “trading oil for blood” after the Saudis executed 81 over the weekend.

Mr Johnson is preparing to tour the capital, Riyadh controversial Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hoping that his kingdom will make up for less dependence on Russia.

But enraged Tory Crispin Blunt warned Mr Johnson faces “exquisite trouble” as he will arrive just days after a massive round of executions.

Mr Blunt also asked Mr Johnson to make Britain’s concerns clear.

The row came as a new energy security strategy promised by the prime minister “within days” was delayed.

The plan, which could increase nuclear power and even resume fracking, will now be released “this month,” No10 said.

Mr Johnson could make a key speech on energy as early as the Tory spring conference, which will be held in Blackpool this weekend.

Old coal plants could stay open longer to buy time before new nuclear plants open.

But an extension wouldn’t last long – as ministers have pledged to close all of them completely by October 2024 to go greener.

3