VLADIMIR PUTIN has taken a significant hit after nations like Hungary and Austria apparently backed down from a veto against a European Union-wide embargo on Russian oil.
According to German station ZDF, an embargo on Russian oil across the EU is becoming more plausible, and Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia have now lifted their vetoes. It comes as the EU prepares to impose a sixth round of punishing economic sanctions on Russia.
According to senior ZDF, diplomats indicated European countries such as Slovakia and Hungary were opposed to a swift import restriction, owing to their reliance on the Russian oil supply.
The predicted increase in energy prices for consumers following an embargo has caused major worry in a number of southern European countries.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said earlier today that he warned the EU’s top diplomat that the next round of sanctions against Russia must include an energy embargo.
He wrote on Twitter after his call with Josep Borrell: “I spoke with @JosepBorrellF on the next round of EU sanctions on Russia which must include an oil embargo.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister added: “I also emphasized there can be no alternative to granting Ukraine EU candidate status.
“We paid separate attention to further safe evacuation from besieged Mariupol.”
According to two EU diplomats quoted by Reuters, the EU is progressively leaning toward a ban on Russian oil imports by the end of the year.
This weekend, talks between the European Commission and EU member states are taking place. Brussels is putting up another package of sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine just over two months ago.
The fresh round of sanctions is expected to target Russian oil, Putin Russian and Belarusian banks, as well as more individuals and businesses.
The EU Commission held “confessionals” with small groups of EU countries and hopes to finalize its sanctions strategy in time for an EU ambassadors conference in Brussels on Wednesday.
EU energy ministers will also gather in Brussels on Monday to discuss the problem.
