The EU delays a proposal to ban Russian oil imports due to rising energy prices and disagreements among member states amid Middle East tensions.
The European Union (EU) has postponed a legislative proposal aimed at permanently banning oil imports from Russia due to rising energy prices triggered by developments in the Middle East and disagreements among member states.
The EU Commission has removed the proposal, which is part of the energy roadmap and was planned to be announced on April 15, from the legislative calendar. This means that the long-awaited regulation aimed at completely ending oil imports from Russia by the end of 2027 has been postponed to a later date.
The decision is noteworthy as it was made during a period of fluctuations in energy markets caused by conflicts in the Middle East and when oil prices are hovering above $100.
EU Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated at the daily press conference held in Brussels that the commission's legislative planning is indicative and that they cannot provide a specific date for when the regulation will be announced.
Itkonen emphasized their determination to prepare the proposal, stating that reverting to energy imports from Russia would be a repetition of a past mistake.
Previously, the EU had banned oil imports from Russia by sea as part of its sanctions. However, these sanctions need to be renewed every six months with the unanimous agreement of member states.
Hungary and Slovakia continue to import oil from Russia via pipeline under an exemption. These countries are demanding that no sanctions be imposed on Russian energy resources.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
