Ukraine brands Shell ‘deplorable’ after accusing it of using an ‘accounting trick’ to keep buying Russian oil
Ukraine’s government has branded Shell ‘deplorable’ after accusing it of using an ‘accounting trick’ to keep buying Russian oil.
Officials in Kyiv said Western companies were continuing to ‘bankroll Putin’s war machine’ despite promising to cut ties with the Kremlin.
In a letter sent to Shell boss Ben van Beurden, seen by the Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian economic adviser Oleg Ustenko said it was a ‘national shame for many governments and institutions that are financing these aggressions towards us’.
He added: ‘The notion that any company will continue to bankroll Putin’s war machine through an accounting trick is deplorable.’
Shell said earlier this month it would stop buying Russian oil, but it was legally obliged to take delivery of crude which derived from contracts signed before the invasion.