Germany supported embargo on oil from Russia – DPA

The German government supported the plans of the European Union to impose an embargo on oil imports from Russia. There is still no unity among the other participating countries, but the rejection of Russian fuel is becoming more and more likely.

Berlin clearly expressed its consent to the imposition of an oil embargo during the latest preliminary negotiations on the sixth sanctions package, DPA reported citing European diplomatic sources in Brussels ( reports Die Welt ). Now, they say, it is becoming more and more likely that the EU will take a decision, although Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Spain, Italy and Greece are still not ready to give up Russian oil.

According to the agency, the countries of Eastern Europe - Slovakia and Hungary - oppose the "rapid embargo" due to their heavy dependence on Russian supplies. And in the countries of Southern Europe, first of all, they fear that the rejection of oil from Russia will provoke a sharp rise in energy prices for the population.

Sources believe that the recent progress in finding alternative oil suppliers could be the reason for Germany's change of course. Economics Minister Robert Habek said earlier that over the past eight weeks, Germany's dependence on Russian fuel has decreased from 35% to 12%.

• According to DPA, the European Commission, headed by Ursula von der Leyen, plans to submit a draft of the sixth package of sanctions against Russia as soon as possible in order to once again increase pressure on the Kremlin. With regard to the oil embargo, among other things, the issue of the timing of the transition period remains. Given the large number of countries concerned about this issue, the EU may allow the import of Russian oil until autumn or even winter. As an alternative to a complete embargo, the introduction of a “ceiling” on oil prices from Russia is being considered.