Austria is ready to support embargo on russian oil

Austria is ready to support an embargo on oil from russia if the European Commission and EU member states decide to do so.

This was stated by Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler, Austria Presse Agentur reports.

"Austria is also ready to consistentlyrsupport the oil embargo if the Commission and its member states decide to do so," Gewessler said.

According to her, Austria is ready for such a step – Russian oil has not been processed in the country since March this year.

At the same time, on Tuesday, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said that official Vienna was waiting for the final proposal of the European Commission on the oil embargo. According to him, when taking such a step, it is also necessary to "take into account countries that are more dependent on russian oil imports than Austria."

According to the APA, as of Tuesday, there is no common position of all EU member states on banning oil imports from russia. In addition to Hungary, Slovakia has also stated its unwillingness to quickly abandon russian oil. Thus, the Slovak Ministry of Economy said that if the embargo on russian oil is included in the new EU sanctions package, Slovakia will ask to make an exception for it. This is due to the fact that all oil imports to the country come from russia. Earlier, Hungary which receives 65% of its oil from russia refused to support the embargo on russian oil.

According to the APA, the European Commission on Tuesday is due to present its proposal for the sixth package of sanctions against russia, which will also include an oil embargo. Member States should then hold new discussions on this proposal. According to the news agency, it is possible that there will be a transition period in the oil embargo, with the exception of Slovakia and Hungary.

Note

The European Commission is working on proposals for the sixth package of sanctions against russia. Details are expected to be discussed with EU countries in the coming days as European governments try to increase pressure on putin by limiting energy revenues from financing a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.