European Union Agrees To Stop Majority Of Russian Oil Sales
Leaders of the European Union have made the decision to stop the majority of Russian oil sales, making up two-thirds of imports.
On Monday evening, the sixth package of sanctions against Russia was agreed upon, which will now allow a ban on oil imports from Russia.
“The sanctions will immediately impact 75% of Russian oil imports. And by the end of the year, 90% of the Russian oil imported into Europe will be banned,” President of the European Council Charles Michel said on social media.
A few hours before, he had posted about the upcoming “agreement to ban the export of Russian oil to the EU”.
“This immediately covers more than two-thirds of oil imports from Russia, cutting a huge source of financing for its war machine,” he said, speaking of maximum pressure on Russia to end the war.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also stressed that the EU must be able to ensure energy independence. “The overarching goal of energy autonomy, for me, is an overriding factor,” she said.
MEP Manfred Weber and Chairman of the EPP Group had also said ahead of yesterday’s agreement that “we must turn off the flow of energy payments to Russia. It is financing the Putin regime.”
“Stopping oil imports is a much-needed step. Russia must lose this war,” he emphasised.
This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
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