The European Union is preparing a phased refusal to import Russian oil, reports The New York Times with reference to its sources.
According to media reports, the phased ban will allow Germany’s time and other countries to agree with alternative suppliers. The same approach of the European Union used the introduction of a ban on Russian coal, having allocated four months for the transition period – the embargo will begin to operate from August 2022, the newspaper notes.
The publication writes that the topic of the prohibition of oil supplies from the Russian Federation will not be discussed in the EU until April 24 – the second round of the presidential election was appointed this day in France. The EU is needed to “make sure that the influence on gas prices will not help the right candidate-populist Marin Le Pen and will not undermine the chances of re-election of President Emmanuel Macron,” writes the media.