US State Department spokesman Ned Price has said that we have been deliberately exempting the energy sector (purchase of oil and gas) from the sanctions imposed on Russia. When asked about the attack on Imran Khan, Ned Price said that US Secretary of State Antony Blanken strongly condemned the attack on Imran Khan last week, we offer our condolences to the family of the person who died. We wish a speedy and complete recovery to all the injured, including Imran Khan. Ned Price said that violence has no place in politics. We are concerned about these incidents. We call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment and intimidation and to respect the rule of law. We are committed to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan and we stand with the people of Pakistan. The spokesperson of the US State Department said that we are concerned about what has happened in Pakistan in recent days. All parties should never resort to violence. They should express their differences peacefully, everyone should have freedom of expression and assembly, but violence is never the solution. We have a long history of deep association with Pakistan and a democratic identity. ‘We continue to raise our concerns about press freedom around the world,’ Ned Price said. We also talk with Pakistan and will continue to negotiate with the Pakistani authorities in this regard. A free press and an informed citizenry are key to any nation and its democratic future. Asked about India’s purchase of oil and gas from Russia, Ned Price said that we have been deliberately exempting the energy sector (purchase of oil and gas) from the sanctions imposed on Russia. India continues to buy oil and other forms of energy from Russia – not against sanctions imposed on Russia. Ned Price said this is not the time for business as usual with Russia, the international community has a duty to reduce economic ties with Russia, end its dependence on Russian oil and gas. There are many countries that have learned the hard way that Russia is not a reliable source of energy. Therefore, it is not only in the interest of Ukraine and the region, but it is also in India’s own bilateral interest.
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