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European Union negotiators have failed to reach an agreement on an embargo on Russian oil, but efforts will continue to reach an agreement ahead of the EU summit on May 30th, a bloc official said.
EU countries are discussing a proposal under which member states would agree to impose a ban on Russian oil supplies coming by sea to the EU by the end of the year.
Exceptions would allow some countries, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, to receive oil through the 4,000-kilometer-long Russian Druzhba pipeline.
Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the negotiations that have taken place, reported that Hungary is refusing to reach a compromise, reports REL.
The media said that Budapest had earlier suggested that it would support the exemption, which would allow the receipt of oil shipments through the Russian pipeline. But, said Budapest is now seeking further concessions.
In 2021, Russia shipped close to 720,000 barrels per day of crude oil to European refineries through its main pipeline in the region, compared to 1.57 million barrels per day via shipments to the Baltic, Black Sea and Arctic ports.
Most pipeline deliveries go to Germany and Poland, but these two countries have hinted that they will try to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies despite any action the EU can take.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on May 29 that he was concerned that EU unity had “begun to crumble” as the bloc prepares to meet to discuss the oil embargo and other efforts aimed at to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
EU leaders will meet on May 30-31 to discuss possible new sanctions against Moscow, including an oil embargo, to punish Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
“After the Russian attack on Ukraine, we saw what happens when Europe stays united. As the summit approaches, let us hope this unity continues. “But unity has already begun to crumble again,” Habeck told a news conference.
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