In the dispute over plans for a European oil embargo against Russia, the European Commission has presented a new compromise proposal. According to information from the German news agency, the draft will initially only allow imports of oil transported by ship to be phased out. Oil transported through the massive Druzhba pipeline would therefore be exempt from the embargo until further notice.
This would allow Russia to continue some of its business with companies in the EU. According to EU information, about a third of the total supply volume flowed through the Druzhba pipeline. It supplies refineries in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as in Poland and Germany.
It is still unclear whether the compromise proposal presented this weekend has any potential. Late Sunday afternoon, the permanent representatives of the EU countries wanted to meet in Brussels for a first consultation.
Summit meeting in Belgium is just around the corner
Next Monday and Tuesday, the compromise proposal should also be discussed at a summit of heads of state and government in the Belgian capital. This should be about the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, as well as efforts to gain independence from Russian energy sources such as gas and oil. Austria and Germany want to support the oil embargo, according to the government, our country has been without Russian oil since March.
Hungary opposes oil embargo
There has been a dispute in the EU for weeks over plans to ban Russian oil imports, as Hungary has so far been unwilling to support the project. The country justifies this with its heavy reliance on Russian oil supplies and the high cost of switching suppliers. Hungary will only agree to an embargo if it receives billions in aid from the EU or far-reaching special rules.
The European Commission’s original proposal was to end imports of Russian crude oil in six months and oil products in eight months because of the war in Ukraine. Hungary and Slovakia should be given 20 months. So far, the Hungarian government has not been able to convince the Hungarian government to offer improvements.
According to information from the German news agency, the most recent compromise proposal no longer includes a transport ban for oil. In addition, it must also remain possible to insure transport. Greece, Cyprus and Malta had argued that such regulations threatened the survival of shipping companies.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
