Russian oil shipping ban losing ground in EU discussions

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has led Western countries to “lose appetite” for plans to fully ban maritime transport of Russian oil by Western companies, EU Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan has said in an interview with Euronews.

According to him, “events in the strait have definitely changed all energy calculations.”

“At the moment, all Western countries are facing problems with access to energy at reasonable prices, prices have risen, there is a shortage of supply, particularly in finished products — diesel, aviation fuel and so on. In these circumstances, there is no longer an appetite to take additional measures that could worsen the situation,” he said, when asked whether a full ban on maritime transport of Russian oil by Western tankers would be included in the 21st sanctions package against Russia.

He added that the measure is also unlikely to be discussed at the G7 summit in Évian on June 15–17.

The proposed restrictions had initially been expected to become a key element of the 20th sanctions package against Russia, scheduled for adoption by February 24, but were postponed until mid-April due to a Hungarian veto. The oil transport ban was ultimately removed from the package.

By Vafa Guliyeva