Russian oil ban not enough to stop them funding war says expert
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The European Commission President put forward a proposal in European Parliament on Wednesday to that ban Russian oil from Europe by the end of the year. She said: “Today, we will propose to ban all Russian oil from Europe. “This will be a complete ban on all Russian oil, seaborn and pipeline, crude and refined.
“We will make sure that we phase out Russian oil in an orderly fashion so in a way that allows us and our partners to secure alternative supply routes and at the same time be very careful that we minimise the impact on the global market.”
But the proposal has not been well received by all members of the 27-nation bloc.
Slovakia has urged that it cannot accept the EU’s plan as it needs more time to search for alternative fuel, despite being given a year longer, along with Hungary, than the rest of the bloc to adapt to the ban.
Slovakian Deputy Economy Minister Karol Galek told Politico: “This is unfortunately not enough.
“We are expecting at least three years.”
Hungary, too, has rejected the proposal on similar grounds.
Budapest has argued that the oil sanctions do not provide any guarantees for its energy security and has demanded that the plan be changed.
Hungarian Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs told reporters: “We do not see any plans or guarantees on how a transition could be managed based on the current proposals, and how Hungary’s energy security would be guaranteed.”
While Slovakia and Hungary are disappointed despite their exemption, the Czech Republic is jealous of their situation and has asked for a longer phase period or exemption like them.
Greece is also said to be fuming with Ms von der Leyen’s plan and does not appear willing to give up oil shipping contracts for Russia.
Malta and Cyprus had similar concerns.
All three nations expressed fears about this proposal to ban oil tankers under the EU flag or under EU control from carrying Russian oil as they were worried that ships from other countries will take over.
But the large bulk of EU members appeared to agree that a ban on Russian oil tankers will be able to batter Vladimir Putin’s economy as the EU hands a staggering amount to Russia for oil imports.
Last year, the EU imported €48.5billion (£38billion) of crude oil in 2021, and €22.5billion (£19billion) of petroleum oils other than crude.
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And it currently still relies on Russia for 26 percent of its oil imports.
Ukrainian energy advisor Pavlo Kutvah told Express.co.uk that Ms von der Leyen’s plan will deal a “huge blow” to Putin.
He said: “The Russian economic model is that of a gas station essentially. They are selling oil and gas and that is their main revenue, and this is what funds both their corrupt elite and their war effort.
“So, of course, any kind of hit to that is a huge blow to the Russian economy and a huge step towards pacifying Russia.”
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