Speaking to AFP, European officials and diplomats told AFP during the day that they will receive a draft of an embargo on Russian oil and derivatives as of today, with the exception of highly dependent countries, to EU (European Union) countries.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, put the finishing touches on the sixth package of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, and the proposal is in the definition stage before it is announced.
The package provides for a gradual cessation of European purchases of Russian oil over a period of 6 to 8 months, but with the exception of Hungary and Slovakia, two countries that are completely dependent on Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
According to a European official, these two countries will be able to continue their oil purchases from Russia until 2023.
“The whole process of replacing[oil from Russia]will take several years, and so I will insist on the exemption,” Slovakia’s Economy Minister Richard Sulik told the country’s media.
The move is not without controversy, as Bulgaria and the Czech Republic also want to enjoy an exemption similar to that negotiated for Hungary and Slovakia, according to diplomats close to the negotiations.
“We must avoid contagion, (because) everyone will want exceptions. (…) We must find adequate solutions,” said a European official.
The College of European Commissioners was supposed to sign the proposal at its meeting later today on the sidelines of the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Then the package will be distributed to the ambassadors of the bloc countries to start analysis in the capitals.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said she plans to speak before the members of the European Parliament tomorrow, but no reference to these negotiations is planned.
source: Noticias
