French President: The EU will reduce Russian oil imports by 92% by the end of the year. Oil prices exceeded $123 per barrel

French President Emmanuel Macron promised that the European Union would cut Russian oil imports by 92% by the end of 2022.

Such a statement, according to French media, including Ouest-France, Macron made at a briefing following the EU summit, at which the sixth package of sanctions against Russia was agreed.

Speaking about a possible embargo on Russian gas supplies, Macron said that "nothing is out of the question." He also said that the European Union will seek to ensure that the export of Ukrainian grain, the supply of which is not yet possible due to the blockade of ports, was resumed.

earlier on May 31 The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced that EU member states had agreed to a partial ban on Russian oil imports, which would not affect pipeline supplies. Michel said that the EU expects to reduce purchases of Russian oil by 90% by the end of the year.

After it became known about the approval of the sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia, world oil prices began to rise. Thus, Brent oil on the ICE exchange in London in the afternoon of May 31 is trading above $123 per barrel, having risen in price by more than 2% per day. This is the highest figure in the last two months, BBC News notes , adding that oil and gas prices have already shown high growth rates due to the war in Ukraine and the lifting of covid restrictions.