Angola is prepared to search for ways to bypass anti-Russian sanctions, if necessary, in order to maintain cooperation with Russia. Russian Ambassador to Angola Vladimir Tararov verified:

"I have talked with Angolan government officials, they all understand what is going on and have said: 'we will be looking for alternative paths and using them where necessary.' I believe this has grounds, real opportunities for sidestepping the sanctions."

The ambassador noted that the cooperation between Russia and Angola cannot be threatened by the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Moscow and that the Angolans are interested in developing bilateral economic cooperation.

EU member states and several countries outside the bloc have sanctioned Russia for starting a military operation in Ukraine, which was at the request of the breakaway Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics. The European Union is now drafting its sixth package of sanctions against Moscow, which, according to reports, may contain an oil embargo.

Angola lacks the infrastructure at the moment to replace Russia as a supplier of gas to Europe, Vladimir Tararov said. The ambassador noted the increase in the number of European officials, including ministers, arriving in Angola in a bid to bargain a deal. Tararov said:

"They are very concerned that they cannot agree on payments with Russia and, of course, they want to stock resources from other countries. They are trying to find an alternative and, among others, they have their eye on Angola. I would like to stress that Angola has potential capacities, but, you know, it lacks the infrastructure yet."

There is only one plant in Angola, which produces about 74.5 million cubic meters of gas annually, while Russia's daily output exceeds tens of billions of cubic meters, the ambassador said. Moreover, about two-thirds of Angola's gas output goes to the domestic market.

"Therefore, of course, they are not able to assist in the coming years. So, yes, it is promising, but for the future, and not in the coming years, although Americans and Europeans have already started working with them [Angola] to actively develop this industry."

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Ukraine's ambassador to Berlin called Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz a 'sulky liver sausage' for hinting he won't visit Ukraine like other European leaders.

Mr Scholz suggested that he would not visit Kyiv after the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier's offer to visit was rejected, he has also been accused by President Volodymyr Zelensky of having close ties to the Kremlin.

The relationship between Ukraine and Germany has been strained during Russia's invasion, as Mr Scholz has been criticised by Kyiv for weak sanctions against Putin and for a lack of military support.

Unlike much of the West, Germany has been comparatively restrained reasoning that under international law participating in certain actions could make it 'party' to the war on Russia.

'You can't do that,' Mr Scholz told ZDF, a German public broadcaster, on Monday.

'It can't work that when a country has provided so much military aid, so much financial aid — which is needed — when it's a question of the security guarantees that will be important to Ukraine in the future — you then say: But the president can't come.'

However Ukraine's envoy to Berlin, Andriy Melnyk, said: 'Acting like a sulky liver sausage doesn't sound very statesmanlike.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pictured) has not visited Kyiv like many other European leaders, after his offer last month to meet with Zelensky was snubbed

Meanwhile Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian officials.

He has previously accused Scholz of weak leadership and of 'procrastination, dithering and timidity'.

Last week Germany announced it would deliver anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine for the first time, which signalled a major shift in policy.

The Chairman of the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Friedrich Merz was in Irpin today

Their announcement that they could quit Russian oil by late summer, further highlighted a show of support for Ukraine.

Mr Scholz denied claims their response to Russia's invasion was hesitant: 'I've always made quick decisions, in tandem with everyone else... but my line is that we act in a level-headed and prudent manner.'

He insisted Germany is 'firmly by the side' of Ukraine, with officials citing their recent actions such as the suspension of Nord Stream 2 and additional military support.

He also vowed that sanctions would not be lifted until Putin signs a peace deal with Ukraine.

This week the European Commission is expected to propose their sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

Which may include a possible embargo on buying Russian oil - which Germany said on Monday it was prepared to back.

Ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed oil sanctions on Wednesday.