After a special meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels on Monday, there was still no clear consensus on the sixth package of sanctions against Moscow, which the EU Commission intends to launch shortly. However, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck is convinced that the new sanctions against Russia will soon be implemented.
According to Habeck, the EU Commission will propose the new package of sanctions on Tuesday. It is still open whether the necessary agreement between the member states will be reached by the weekend. Austria and Germany had decided at short notice to support the embargo. But there are other countries that are still slowing down.
That could become a problem, because the EU countries would have to decide unanimously on an oil embargo against Russia.
The oil exit is not without consequences
An exception clause for countries that are particularly dependent on Russian oil supplies is currently considered possible in Brussels. Habeck called on skeptical EU countries to exit Russian oil and gas quickly. Solidarity with Ukraine requires that fossil fuels from Russia be “reduced quickly and drastically,” he said in Brussels. “Hungary is making the least effort of all the EU countries,” criticized Habeck on ZDF’s “heute journal”.
However, the Vice Chancellor also admits that an exit from Russian oil is not feasible without consequences for the economy. Such a step means “higher inflation, higher energy prices and a strain on the economy”.
According to information from members of the EU Commission, the authority intends to present its proposal for a new package of sanctions against Russia, which also includes an oil embargo, by Wednesday at the latest.
Sources: DPA, AFP, ORF, “Die Zeit”, “Wiener Zeitung”