Responding on LCI TV, Bon stressed that timing is crucial in the discussion about restricting Russian oil. He indicated that the day’s choices could shape the next steps and that rapid decisions are needed, especially given the varied impact on member states.
He also hoped that Hungary’s uncertainties could be resolved soon, recognizing how delicate the issue is for several EU countries reliant on Russian energy. He noted that Slovakia and Bulgaria share similar concerns, being more dependent on Russian oil than many peers in the union.
Bon projected that the sixth sanctions package against Russia could be decided by the end of the coming weekend, around May 15. He also mentioned that President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary planned to discuss the matter by phone on the following Tuesday to seek agreement on restrictive measures. A French Foreign Ministry spokesperson suggested this could be a key moment in finalizing the EU policy framework on sanctions.
The diplomat reminded audiences that any EU decision requires consent from all 27 member states. France is presiding over the EU for this half of the year, in keeping with the rotating presidency arrangement.
On May 6, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto warned that an embargo on Russian oil could seriously harm Hungary’s economy. He argued that the proposed plan from Brussels would threaten energy security and economic stability, insisting that the country could not allow decades of effort by its people to be jeopardized. He spoke at a factory event, underscoring the potential national impact of sanctions.
embargo blocking
The official spokesperson for Josep Borrell, Peter Stano, told a radio program that discussions on an oil embargo were underway in closed sessions, with positions not disclosed until decisions are made. He stated that EU members continue to debate how to ban Russian oil in a way that minimizes harm to European economies still linked to Russian supply. He emphasized that the negotiations are confidential and that the sixth package aims to increase financial pressure on the Kremlin to deter aggression in Ukraine.
Recent reports indicated that Hungary again blocked the embargo during a meeting of EU permanent representatives, even as the European Commission had granted Hungary and Slovakia a transition period through 2024 to locate alternative oil sources. The Czech Republic and Slovakia, along with Hungary, opposed a full embargo, with Hungary seeking exemptions for pipeline-delivered Russian oil and Slovakia seeking a longer transition window.
On May 6, a European Commission spokesperson cautioned that talks on the sixth sanctions package were ongoing, emphasizing confidence that a consensus would emerge. The official reiterated that the objective of the sanctions is to minimize disruption to the EU and the wider world while imposing meaningful costs on the Kremlin, noting that progress requires continued dialogue.
Sixth sanctions package
As discussions progressed, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to propose a phased ban on all Russian oil imports as part of the sixth sanctions package. A Commission spokesperson acknowledged that the proposal considers differing energy dependencies across member states, aiming for a balance that preserves essential supplies while tightening pressures on Moscow.
Media reports suggested the bloc could require a two-stage approach: stopping crude oil imports within a set period and halting oil product purchases by year’s end. Analysts described the move as one of the EU’s toughest steps to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine, with potential implications for the union’s energy sector, transport, heating, and industrial output, all heavily intertwined with Russian energy sources.
The EU also signaled continued sanctions against a state-controlled energy bank used for payments for Russian gas. Observers noted that while the oil embargo would be costly for the alliance, it remains a strategic step in reducing dependence on Russian hydrocarbons over time. Reports also indicated interest in broader sanctions channels, including joint actions against religious leadership as a symbolic target within the broader punitive framework.