Polish FM urges EU to sanction refineries processing Russian oil

Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said in Brussels on January 29 that he would raise the issue of imposing sanctions on refineries that process Russian oil at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

He said the measure could form part of the European Union’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports per Polish media. 

Sikorski argued that targeting refineries would complement existing EU sanctions on the so-called shadow fleet — tankers used to secretly transport Russian oil.

He said Europe had so far failed to effectively stop what he described as the “scrap fleet,” adding that recent interventions by the United States had been crucial in intercepting shadow fleet tankers and preventing further shipments.

The EU has been tightening restrictions on Russia’s energy exports as part of broader efforts to limit Moscow’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine.

By Sabina Mammadli