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Comment by zaptheimpaler | Hacker News Reader

Germany continues to buy oil from Russia too, but I never see them being criticized for it. They bought oil for decades from Russia, arguably funding the current invasion, yet that was held up as a shining example of how interdepenence via trading can maintain peace between nations.

There's always a double standard at play. For EU, buying oil is a necessary evil. For India, it's "supporting" the enemy.

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You didn't see Germany criticized for buying oil from Russia? Boy, they are the most criticized country for doing that (and oil and gas) - they basically enabled Russia to do the invasion. Nord Stream 1 and 2 come to mind. They made themselves (and few other countries) dependent on that bloody import.

India received Lawrow recently, he is not allowed in any EU country.

But there is a difference in long dependency and completely new buy. India is not dependent on Russian oil, Germany is (I mean, if they stop, cars will stop, people will freeze in houses because of lack of gas to heat their houses).

> India received Lawrow recently, he is not allowed in any EU country.

And? Your point? Speaking to diplomats is suddenly taboo?

> India is not dependent on Russian oil

No. But, it is dependent on oil and gas being cheap enough to make basic inputs with. It is a region and country on the brink of poverty in many ways. What did you expect?

> And? Your point? Speaking to diplomats is suddenly taboo?

You can speak on phone, receiving one from countries killing civilians on purpose is making a statement. If you make a statement you will be heard, and I don't think many EU countries will be happy. Not to mention, you know humanitarian aspects - you can buy your oil without blood.

Not everyone shares those sentiments -- and that's all they are, just sentiments.

And, why hasn't the EU shut off all oil and gas purchases from Russia immediately?

Why should a poor country support this sanctions regime and then witness massive internal disruption?

Most of the countries and populations of the world have in fact NOT imposed sanctions.

> And, why hasn't the EU shut off all oil and gas purchases from Russia immediately?

Because they let themselves get too dependent on foreign energy, so doing so would have meant letting their own people freeze.

And, India needs cheap oil and gas to make fertilizers to feed its population.

You are free and rich enough to do this, be my guest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD_6L_ktkM8

> India is not dependent on Russian oil,

Is oil the only thing a country can be dependent on?

Also, what are you? Some Eastern European, who has some emotional ties to the region? 99% of Indians have never heard of Ukraine, and yet, Indians should sacrifice their one steady ally who has stood with India all these decades?

It is not a economic war where you can easily sacrifice.

I assume India politicians heard what Russia targets in Ukraine (and it is not military). Bucha is just one example.

Would India buy cheap soap from Germany during WWII (of course if it wasn't under Britains rule)?

India without Russian fertizer is like Germany without Russian energy.

Do you really understand or know more about these concerns?

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