Germany changing position?EU may ban imports of Russian oil by the end of the year
2022-05-03 09:28:48Source: Xinhua News Agency
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 2 (Xinhua) — European Union officials said that the European Union will expand sanctions against Russia in the energy sector, leaning towards banning the import of Russian oil by the end of this year.
According to Western media reports, the EU made the above plan partly due to Germany’s change of position, but many countries still oppose the EU’s oil embargo on Russia.
Differences remain
Reuters reported on the 1st, citing two EU diplomats as sources, that the EU is preparing a sixth round of sanctions against Russia, which may target Rosneft, Russian and Belarusian banks, and more individuals and companies.
The European Union headquarters building in Brussels, Belgium, on March 24, 2020. Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Ricardo Paregani)
According to the above-mentioned officials, the European Commission, after communicating with some EU member states this weekend, is inclined to ban Russian oil imports by the end of this year. Related sanctions plans are likely to be discussed at various EU meetings next week.
The European Union announced a fifth round of sanctions against Russia last month, including a halt to imports of Russian coal from August. But EU countries have struggled to agree on whether to impose sanctions on Russian oil and gas.
The German news agency quoted EU sources as saying that Germany, a major buyer of Russian oil, turned to support a ban on Russian oil imports, making it “more likely” within the EU to reach a consensus on the Russian oil embargo. However, even if Germany changes its position, countries such as Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Spain, Italy and Greece remain opposed for now.
People refuel their cars at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 18. Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Armando Barbani)
According to the above-mentioned sources, some EU countries located in the north are worried that it is difficult for them to get rid of their high dependence on Russian oil, while some countries in southern Europe are worried that the imposition of an oil embargo on Russia will lead to higher energy prices.
huge cost
According to DPA, Germany has changed its stance on the Russian oil embargo because of its recent success in finding an alternative oil supplier.
People ride on Unter den Linden Street in Berlin, Germany, on April 28.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ren Pengfei
Germany is “rapidly reducing” its dependence on Russia for energy, and the share of Russian oil in Germany’s total oil imports has dropped from 35% last year to 12% now. The share of Russian coal in Germany’s total coal imports has fallen from 50% to 8% since the beginning of this year.
However, German Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Robert Habeck said that all the measures Germany is taking to reduce energy dependence on Russia “requires a huge joint effort” by all parties, and the German economy and consumers “both feel” these measures. price. (Gao Jie)