Roughly a week after vocal remarks about the Russian diesel matter in Europe, Repsol’s chief executive, Josu Jon Imaz, met with the energy commissioner on Thursday, Kadri Simson, to discuss several topics. The dialogue touched on hydrogen, biofuels, and the goal of technological neutrality, with officials noting Imaz’s complaint from the previous Friday about fuel entering Europe through irregular channels.
“I expect European authorities to apply sanctions decisively against Russian products”, Imaz stated during a briefing on the company’s first quarter results last week. He added that Europe must pressure Russia to halt the war and emphasized that many firms comply with sanctions not only on moral grounds but because the regime requires it.
On Thursday, Simson held a post-meeting briefing to reaffirm the EU’s stance on preventing any circumvention of the import ban. The ban, in effect since February 5, aims to choke off funding for Vladimir Putin’s war by curtailing petroleum product imports. Simson highlighted a 85% reduction in oil payments to Russia compared with Ukraine’s pre-war figures, though the remaining flows still amount to around 1.6 billion euros.
Officials from the Prensa Ibérica group told EL PERIÓDICO DE CATALUNYA that member states bear responsibility for implementing sanctions, while the European Commission monitors compliance and flags practices that may seek to bypass penalties, including ship-to-ship transfers near EU territorial waters. Brussels is said to be working closely with member states and maritime authorities to clarify how sanctions should be enforced and to identify potential evasion tactics as progress unfolds. With the support of the recently appointed EU sanctions ambassador, David O’Sullivan, the Commission is engaging third countries about possible loopholes.
In another note, Repsol’s chief executive referred to Türkiye and Morocco as routes that can complicate the traceability of Russian diesel. Bloomberg reported that India appears to be approaching the status of Europe’s leading refined fuels supplier, while simultaneously increasing purchases of Russian crude this month.
Community Certificate
The Spanish government pledged last week to investigate the flow of fuel into the region. Teresa Ribera, the third vice president and Minister of Ecological Transition, signaled that documents proving the correct origin of fuels would be examined. If any discrepancies are found, authorities will probe whether certificates are accurate or if the goods originated elsewhere and were misrepresented.
Ribera’s department later indicated that the vice president would send a formal letter to Commissioner Simson proposing the creation of a European Commission‑backed certificate. Such a certificate would verify not only the port of origin but also the refiner or exporter upstream in the supply chain. The Ministry of Ecological Transition did not confirm whether the letter had been sent when asked for comment.