“An important step”
Charles Michel stated that a common agreement had been reached to ban the export of Russian oil to the European Union. The measure would cover about two thirds of Russia’s oil imports and is seen as a major move to curb funding for the war effort. The aim, as described by the politician, is to apply maximum pressure on Moscow to end the conflict.
Officials announced that the European Council had endorsed the sixth package of sanctions, which includes a ban on oil imports from Russia. The move would affect about 75 percent of Russia’s oil deliveries immediately, with a plan to reach roughly 90 percent by year’s end. In addition to the oil embargo, the sixth package imposes other hard measures. Notably, Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, would be excluded from the SWIFT network, and three Russian state broadcasters would be banned from European airwaves. The package also targets individuals in the EU deemed responsible for wrongdoing in Ukraine.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, welcomed the approval of the sixth sanctions package. She emphasized on social media that oil imports from Russia would be cut by 90 percent by the end of the year. She added that leaders had agreed in principle on the package and highlighted the plan to provide Ukraine with a new macro-financial aid package of up to nine billion euros to support the country’s resilience and reform efforts.
Japan’s Cabinet Secretary General, Hirokazu Matsuno, commented at a Tokyo press conference that Japan supports the EU’s move to impose a partial embargo on Russian oil imports as part of broader efforts to reduce energy dependence on Moscow. Oil exports play a key role in Russia’s foreign exchange earnings, a point he acknowledged while expressing solidarity with EU measures.
Nevertheless, Japan has not yet implemented a similar embargo. Earlier in May, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda noted that Japan would not ban oil shipments from Russia due to its own resource constraints and energy needs.
exception countries
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacted by saying that the EU embargo would not apply to Hungary. He suggested that the country had managed to endure the oil embargo, posting a message on his social channel. The comment reflected ongoing debates about exemptions within the bloc and the political sensitivities surrounding Hungary’s energy ties with Russia.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo explained after the EU summit that the European Commission had not yet set a timeframe for how long exemptions might last for Hungary. He noted that the Commission would monitor the situation to ensure the exemptions do not extend longer than necessary. He also indicated that following the sixth package, the Czech Republic might resume Russian oil purchases, and Hungary would need to broaden its oil refining capacity to handle different supply sources beyond the pipeline network as part of the evolving sanctions regime.
Reuters reported that the new restrictions focus on oil supplied by sea from Russia. This assessment was echoed by Charles Michel, who mentioned a temporary exception relating to oil transported by pipeline. The distinction between sea and pipeline deliveries emerged as a key detail in how the measures would be administered and monitored.
“The provocative and irresponsible question”
Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, argued that Moscow would seek alternative buyers for its oil and criticized the European timetable for phasing out Russian fuel. He posed a provocative question in a private, informal tone, asking why Russia could not meet European expectations sooner and suggesting gesture diplomacy as an alternative to a swift cut in supplies. He also recalled remarks by Ursula von der Leyen about Russia finding other buyers, indicating a view that the market would adapt to changing global energy patterns.
Ulyanov further referenced the notion that Russia might respond more quickly if the EU demonstrated greater willingness to accept new importers. The dialogue highlighted ongoing tension between European aims to diversify energy sources and Moscow’s strategy to maintain revenue streams while responding to external pressure.