EU summit unlikely to find solution on Russia oil embargo, von der Leyen says -Breaking
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© Reuters. FILEPHOTO: This illustration was taken at 3:08 PM on March 8th, 2022. It shows models of oil barrels as well as a pump-jack in front the flag colours of Russia and EU. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration2/2
DAVOS (Reuters) – European Union leaders won’t reach an agreement on an oil embargo for Russia during their summit Monday and Tuesday, Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the bloc’s executive, said.
On Tuesday, she said to Reuters that “I don’t think the summit’s the right venue for this… We shouldn’t stare at the summit.” She also said that discussions with member countries were continuing.
Von der Leyen’s Commission proposed that Russian oil imports be ceased by year end in all EU member countries. Hungary and other could have more time.
This would be the EU’s most severe sanction to date in response Moscow’s February 24th invasion of Ukraine.
Hungary has, however, so far refused to remove its veto.
The company claims that hundreds of millions are required to improve its refinery and pipeline infrastructure, so it can eliminate Russian oil. A total overhaul of the country’s energy system would however cost billions.
Von der Leyen claimed that negotiations are primarily focused on working out details: “I don’t think this will be an issue at the Council that can be decided there.”
A EU official agreed with her.
According to the official, “It is impossible that such a technical topic could be negotiated at the summit by the headsof state and government.”
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