The two countries heavily dependent on Russia’s raw materials could offer special import rules to keep the EU united.
The European Commission could allow Hungary and Slovakia not to impose an oil embargo as part of the sixth package of sanctions against Russia, as both countries are dependent on Russia’s energy resources. This was reported by Reuters on May 2, citing two EU officials.
It was noted that on May 3, the European Commission will complete work on the next package of anti-Russian measures, which provides a ban on the purchase of Russian oil.
As one of the agency’s sources clarified, in order to maintain the unity of the European Union, Slovakia and Hungary could be allowed not to join the embargo, or they could be given a longer transition period.
According to EU officials, the embargo will be implemented in stages, and will not be in full force until early 2023.
Reuters wrote that Europe consumes nearly half of Russia’s exports of crude oil and petroleum products, giving Moscow a huge source of revenue. EU countries have paid nearly 20 billion euros to Russia since the military invasion of Ukraine began.
Overall, Russia’s oil accounts for 26% of European imports, but the figure varies significantly in different EU countries.
Thus, according to the International Energy Agency, Slovakia and Hungary are 96% and 58% dependent on Russia’s raw materials, respectively.
Earlier, Hungary said it would veto EU sanctions on Russia’s energy if they restricted the purchase of energy resources.
At the same time, according to media reports, Austria and Slovakia decided to withdraw the veto on the introduction of the oil embargo.
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Source: korrespondent
