Lukoil’s U.S. gas stations face backlash as Russian oil giant calls for peace in Ukraine

The international push to punish Russia for its invasion Ukraine is developing locally in the United States as gas stations affiliated with Russia’s second-largest oil company, Lukoil, face a negative reaction.

Lawmakers in Newark, New Jersey, this week voted to suspend Lukoil licenses in the city, with city council members citing the company’s base in Moscow. On social media, people are also calling for a boycott of Lukoil stations, which operate in 11 states, mostly in the northeastern United States.

However, the Newark measure is likely to have a greater impact on Americans than Russians. This is due to the fact that most of the 230 Lukoil gas stations in the US are mostly franchises owned and staffed by locals. Gasoline sold at both Lukoil stations in Newark comes from a local refinery operated by Phillips 66, an American company based in Houston, Texas.

The idea of ​​revoking his business license left a franchise owner confused and worried about his 16 employees.

“I’m with Ukraine and I’m full of support for Russian sanctions, but I’m baffled and confused how closing a small US business owner is sending a message of support,” Roger Verma said. he told CBS New York.

“It doesn’t hurt Lukoil and it doesn’t hurt Russia,” said Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience and Automotive Association.

Lukoil calls for “quick resolution”

Meanwhile, Lukoil on Thursday called for a “speedy resolution of the military conflict” in Ukraine. “We fully support its resolution through negotiations, through diplomatic means,” the company said on its website.

Some Washington lawmakers are pressuring the White House to ban the purchase of Russian oil by US companies and impose sanctions on Russian energy companies.

As traders move away from Russian oil, the overall price of crude oil has risen, increasing pain in the pump. The current US average has shot up 20 cents a just last week at $ 3.78 a gallonaccording to GasBuddy.

Elsewhere, some American consumers have gotten rid of Smirnoff vodka, perhaps unaware that alcohol is owned by the UK-based Diageo, and that bottles sold in the U.S. are distilled in Plainfield, Illinois. .

Publix and Kroger supermarket chains are removing Russian-produced vodka from store shelves, according to CBS subsidiaries in Florida and Wisconsin.