What shell said.....7 Mar 2022 00:16
Commenting on its move, Shell said it was forced to buy oil from Russia in order to maintain timely supplies of fuel to Europe.
The firm said it remains "appalled by the war in Ukraine" and has stopped most activities involving Russian oil, but it added the situation with supplies is "highly complex".
Russian oil currently makes up about 8% of Shell's working supplies. One of the firm's refineries, which produces diesel and petrol and other products, is also among the biggest in Europe.
"To be clear, without an uninterrupted supply of crude oil to refineries, the energy industry cannot assure continued provision of essential products to people across Europe over the weeks ahead," a spokesperson said.
"Cargoes from alternative sources would not have arrived in time to avoid disruptions to market supply.
"We didn't take this decision lightly and we understand the strength of feeling around it."
The firm also said that it will try to choose alternatives to Russian oil "wherever possible", and that profits from Russian oil will go to a dedicated fund aimed at helping people in Ukraine.