Germany now also for oil embargo against Russia – proposal of the EU Commission is to come shortly

However, there is still no agreement in the European Union. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) said on Monday that Germany could carry an oil embargo. But other countries are not that far along. As a rule, sanctions have to be decided unanimously within the EU.

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Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) had previously said on ARD that one is now “prepared” to do without Russian oil for several years. A few weeks ago, an immediate delivery stop would not have been possible, Baerbock said. Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner (FDP) made a similar statement to Baerbock and Habeck. The share of Russian oil in German oil consumption has fallen from 35 to 12 percent within a few weeks since the beginning of the war against the Ukraine, according to the Federal Government’s progress report on energy security.

The EU Commission, headed by Ursula von der Leyen, wants to present its proposal for a new package of sanctions against Russia by Wednesday at the latest. This was confirmed by employees of the authority on Monday of the German Press Agency in Brussels. The meanwhile sixth package of sanctions should therefore also include the introduction of an oil embargo.

Until recently, however, it was unclear under what conditions countries like Hungary, which are heavily dependent on Russian oil supplies, could give the necessary approval for an EU import ban. For example, a transition period, for example until the beginning of next year, or exceptions would be conceivable.

At a special meeting this Monday, the energy ministers of the EU states will discuss, among other things, Russia’s freeze on gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. The question of an oil embargo should only be mentioned in passing.

There is broad agreement within the EU that there should be no public dispute over the sanctions against Russia. Hungary, however, had recently openly threatened a veto. Hungarian Chancellery Minister Gergely Gulyas said on Sunday evening on the pro-government TV station Hir TV: “To be clear: we will never support sanctions (with regard to oil and gas supplies).” Since the beginning of the war, Hungary has supported all EU sanctions against Russia, but strictly refuses to sell its own arms to Ukraine.

Gyulas continued: “Since they can only be decided unanimously, there is no point in the European Commission proposing sanctions that would limit current Hungarian imports.” Currently nobody can replace Russian oil and gas supplies. It took five years and “a lot of money” to change over. Not only is the Commission not giving Hungary any money, it is withholding it. Gulyas is alluding to financial aid from the Corona reconstruction fund, which the EU Commission has not yet paid out because it has concerns about its legitimate use.

Regarding the consequences of a possible oil embargo against Russia, Economics Minister Habeck said that such a measure would not go unnoticed in Germany either. There will be high price jumps, but Germany will no longer slip into a new “oil crisis”. The conversion could also mean lost time, said Habeck, referring to the PCK oil refinery in Schwedt, which is controlled by the Russian state-owned company Rosneft.

However, the Economics Ministry wants to avoid negative consequences for the refinery employees. “The lights don’t go out here immediately,” said Parliamentary Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Michael Kellner (Greens) on Monday during a visit to Schwedt. There are strategic crude reserves so that people, employees and companies can continue to work. “We as the Federal Ministry will do everything for employees and consumers.”

The “Druschba” (friendship) oil pipeline with oil from Russia, which is processed in the PCK refinery, ends in Schwedt. The refinery is majority owned by the Russian state-owned company Rosneft and, according to the Brandenburg Economics Ministry, has 1,200 employees.

Austria wants to support the l-embargo against Russia

According to Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler, Austria is not opposed to an oil embargo against Russia. “Austria is willing to consistently support an oil embargo if the Commission and the Member States decide to do so,” Gewessler said on the sidelines of a special meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels. Be prepared, she added. As early as March, Austria no longer processed any Russian oil. However, the situation is different in other Member States. “It is a basic requirement that we can carry this together,” said Gewessler.

At the meeting, the ministers want to talk about security of supply in the EU after Russia stopped gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. Incidentally, the European Union’s plans for a possible oil embargo against Moscow should also be discussed.

Economics Minister Robert Habeck said in the morning that Germany was ready for such a delivery stop. Hungary, in particular, which is heavily dependent on Russian energy, has threatened to reject sanctions against Russian oil supplies. The proposed embargo could therefore include a transitional period. The length of this and possible exemptions are currently being discussed.

BERLIN/BRSSEL (dpa-AFX)

Image sources: Istockphoto, Filipe Frazao / Shutterstock.com