The European Union is proposing to ban only the sea transportation of oil from russia and to postpone restrictions on imports from the key Druzhba pipeline in order to satisfy Hungary and reach an agreement on the sixth package of sanctions.
The European Commission has sent a revised proposal to the governments of the EU member states. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing sources.
Interlocutors of the publication claim that, according to the new proposal, the EU countries should gradually stop importing oil by sea within six months and oil products within eight months.
Bulgaria is proposing a transition period until June or December 2024, and Croatia may be exempted from importing vacuum gas oil.
The Commission also proposes to limit the re-export of russian oil supplied by the pipeline to other Member States or third countries.
EU ambassadors are to meet today to discuss a new plan. And tomorrow the EU leaders will meet in Brussels.
The sanctions package requires approval by all 27 member states of the Union.
The embargo on russian oil should be included in the sixth sanctions package of the European Union. The new sanctions were presented on 4 May. There was a gradual abandonment of oil imports from russia: crude - up to six months, refined - by the end of the year.
Hungary and its newly re-elected prime minister, Viktor Orbán, have systematically opposed the imposition of anti-russian energy sanctions. The Prime Minister noted that the approval of the proposed package of sanctions will require his country to make large-scale investments in alternative supplies and modernization of Hungarian refineries.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the package of sanctions could not be adopted only because of Hungary's position.
The United States has also said it will ask European countries to impose tariffs on russian oil as a quick alternative to a direct oil embargo.