G-7 members looking at all options to curb profits on Russian oil
The Liberia-flagged Aframax tanker Suvorovsky Prospect discharges oil from Russia at the Matanzas terminal, in Matanzas, Cuba, July 16, 2022. (Reuters Photo)


Leading economic powers are looking at all options to prevent Russia from profiteering from high energy prices, including blocking the transportation of Russian oil unless purchased at or below a set price, a statement said Tuesday.

In a statement released by Britain, the foreign ministers of the G-7 countries said they were considering "a comprehensive prohibition of all services that enable transportation of Russian seaborne crude oil and petroleum products globally, unless the oil is purchased at or below a price to be agreed in consultation with international partners."

"In considering this and other options, we will also consider mitigation mechanisms alongside our restrictive measures to ensure the most vulnerable and impacted countries maintain access to energy markets including from Russia," the statement noted.

The G-7 group of wealthy developed economies is made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States.

Member countries have scrambled to find ways to plug energy shortages and tackle soaring prices while sticking to their climate commitments, amid a standoff with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.

"As we phase out Russian energy from our domestic markets, we will seek to develop solutions that reduce Russian revenues from hydrocarbons, support stability in global energy markets, and minimize negative economic impacts, especially on low- and middle-income countries," the statement said.