European energy ministers are divided over boycotting Russian oil imports and paying Russian gas in rubles. Germany has said it is ready to ban the import of Russian oil into the European Union. However, the dependence on some countries has to be taken into account. Hungary has not yet supported the boycott and does not appear to agree with it.
According to informed sources, the European Commission is now introducing a sixth sanctions package under which crude oil imports into the European Union will be canceled before the end of the year. In order to convince Hungary, this country will only have to stop importing oil later. A temporary exception will also be proposed for Slovakia.
EU ministers are also divided over the ruble payment for Russian gas. Last week, Russia halted gas to Poland and Bulgaria because they refused to pay in rubles. And other EU countries, which also do not pay in rubles, will continue to receive gas.
The European Commission refuses to pay in rubles, but Hungary has already said that it wants to pay Russia in rubles instead of euros. Italy’s Energy Minister said in an interview that he is open to temporarily paying in rubles. Both countries are highly dependent on Russian gas.
