The European Commission plans to propose the introduction of a ban on the import of Russian oil into the EU by the end of the year, a spokesperson for the European Commission announced today in response to questions related to the approval by the EU Council of the ban on the import of Russian gas, BTA reports.
The EU's goal is to stop access to the European market for any Russian energy sources, the spokesperson explained. He expressed hope that restrictions will soon be imposed on the import of fuel and materials for nuclear energy from Russia.
According to him, the EC is confident that it will be able to defend the ban on Russian gas in the European Court of Justice if it is challenged. We strive to avoid a challenge and always work with EU countries, in this case we are working with Hungary and Slovakia, this work will continue, the spokesperson said. He noted that this is not the first time an EU country has challenged European legislation and this is part of the rights of European countries.
As BTA reported, the EU Council yesterday adopted a decision to ban the import of Russian gas from next year. After the changes come into force, European companies will not be able to sign new supply contracts with Russia, and existing contracts will have to be terminated.