The EU has finally reached an agreement on the Russian oil embargo

Address to the leaders of the European Union countries after the first day of the summit EUEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed satisfaction that the parties were able to agree in principle on the 6th package of sanctions against Russia.

The AP reported that, at the conclusion of the summit, EU leaders agreed that “a sixth package of sanctions against Russia will include an embargo on crude oil as well as petroleum products being transported from Russia to other countries. members by sea, temporarily allowing the import of crude oil by pipeline.

As Ms. Von der Leyen explains, EU countries will “be able to finalize a ban on almost 90% of all Russian oil imports by the end of the year” by agreeing on technical details by the end of this week. . She said the embargo would include a ban on oil transported by sea, a partial waiver of oil transportation by pipeline. The EU will discuss the details of the exempt oil in the coming months.

The President of the European Commission said that this agreement is an important concession to Hungary, which has opposed Russia’s oil embargo. Accordingly, Hungary will continue to import oil from Russia through the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline.

Meanwhile, Poland and Germany – powered by the northern branch of the Druzhba pipeline – pledged to “reduce Russia’s oil production by the end of the year” as others would with seaborne oil, von der Leyen added.

In a video statement on Facebook, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said “we have tried to block the most frightening proposal” of the European Commission on Russian oil cuts. Mr. Orban affirmed, Hungary will be able to keep gas price Oil is at a low level amid the growing global economic crisis because of the agreement to exempt oil from the pipeline.

Referring to divisions among EU member states and stalled negotiations over an oil embargo, European Council President Charles Michel said the leaders’ agreement sent “a message of confidence”. very strong signal” that the EU has no shortage of solidarity and that “we can be tough on defending our values”.

As part of the sixth package of sanctions, the EU will also remove Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, from the international payments system SWIFT, as well as ban three more Russian state-owned television stations from operating in EU.

Ms. von der Leyen confirmed that EU leaders have agreed to provide 9 billion euros ($9.6 billion) in macro-financial support to Ukraine, in addition to financial support from other international partners.

The summit’s conclusion also condemned the military campaign of Russia in Ukraine, called on Moscow to “immediately cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and immediately and unconditionally withdraw” its forces.