Amid Druzhba pipeline dispute, EU says it has no plans to return to Russian oil

European Commissioner for Power Dan Jørgensen has mentioned that the halt within the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline doesn’t pose a menace to the European Union's vitality safety and reiterated that the EU intends to totally part out Russian vitality imports.

Supply: European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, responding to a query from a European Pravda correspondent

Particulars: The EU has no intention of abandoning its plans to part out all Russian vitality imports, the commissioner careworn.

"We must also possibly begin by reminding one another why it’s that there's an issue with this pipeline. It's as a result of Russia has destroyed it. Let's not neglect that," Jørgensen mentioned in response to European Pravda's query.

He emphasised that there are not any considerations relating to safety of provide, as different sources exist.

"Having mentioned that, we have now despatched a really clear sign to Ukraine that we want to see a timeline on when this Druzhba shall be up and working once more," the commissioner famous.

"However let me additionally underline that the Fee does intend to place ahead a proposal to ban the import of oil from Russia," he added.

Jørgensen recalled that EU sanctions already prohibit member states from importing Russian oil, though two nations – Hungary and Slovakia – at present profit from exemptions.

Nonetheless, the EU will shortly suggest a full ban on Russian oil imports.

"We are going to put ahead a proposal to alter that. So all nations want to organize for this case," Jørgensen careworn. "We don’t need to purchase vitality from Russia sooner or later."

Background:

• As European Pravda has reported, Hungary and Slovakia initiated a dialogue on the Druzhba pipeline with the Council of the EU on 16 March.
• Hungarian Overseas Minister Péter Szijjártó has introduced on the sidelines of an EU Overseas Affairs Council assembly that Hungary will proceed its blocking stance till Ukraine restores the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed the view that reopening the Druzhba pipeline could be equal to lifting sanctions on Russia.

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