Brussels/Moscow: – Attempts by the European Union to impose restrictions on crude oil imports from Russia have failed once again. After nearly ten days of negotiations, the Union was forced to withdraw due to strong opposition from some member states to a ban on Russian oil imports. ‘We cannot say when sanctions on Russian oil imports will be imposed.’ said Josep Borrell, a senior official in the Union.
The European Union imports more than 3.5 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products daily from Russia. This includes diesel used by European trucks. The federation pays Russia 450 million Euros per day for these imports. The United States, Great Britain and some European countries, including Ukraine, have accused Russia of using these funds in its military campaign in Ukraine. Therefore, a proposal was made to ban the import of crude oil from Russia.
However, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic have vehemently opposed the ban on Russian oil imports. In some European countries, crude oil is imported only through Russian fuel pipelines, and since there is no other alternative, the countries concerned have taken an aggressive stance, claimed Borrell. The Hungarian government has claimed that a ban on Russian oil would destroy its economy. Hungary imports 76,700 barrels of oil per day from Russia. Russia supplies the oil through the Druzhba Pipeline.
Countries like Poland and France, on the other hand, have been pushing for Russia’s ‘Oil Ban’. Germany has also backed them and has begun searching for alternatives. However, European analysts claim that it is difficult to reach an agreement on the oil ban due to the opposition from four member states.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Deputy Fuel Minister Majid Chegeni has stated that Iran is ready to supply natural gas to European countries.
