The Twenty-Seven are ready to decide on a gradual embargo on crude oil and refined products imported from Russia, effective by the end of the year.
Correspondent in Brussels
This is a crucial step in the arm wrestling exercised by Europe on Russia. And a sacrifice for EU economies. After several days of discussions with the Member States, the Commission was to adopt a sixth package of sanctions on Tuesday evening, including an embargo on Russian oil, on which the Union depends for 26%, with very significant differences depending on the country. , from 8% for Belgium, to 65% for Hungary and 96% for Slovakia.
Read alsoWestern sanctions threaten Russian oil and gas production
Hitting oil would be a heavy blow for the Kremlin. In 2021, the EU bought the equivalent of 71 billion euros of oil from Russia, against 5 billion euros of coal – already subject to an embargo from August – and 16 billion euros for the gas. Washington had, however, warned Brussels, judging that an embargo could contribute to soaring the prices of this fossil energy worldwide.
These sanctions will not be formally adopted until EU ambassadors have…
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