EU plans permanent ban on Russian oil after Hungarian election

The European Commission has planned to submit a legal proposal for a permanent ban on imports of Russian oil on 15 April, three days after Hungary's parliamentary election.

Source: EU officials and a document seen by Reuters

Details: EU officials told Reuters the timing is intended to prevent the oil ban from becoming a major issue in Hungary's election campaign. Hungary and Slovakia, which are still reliant on imports of Russian oil, have strongly opposed any ban.

At the election on 12 April, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his nationalist Fidesz party will face their biggest challenge to staying in power in the past 16 years.

The EU has already imposed sanctions on seaborne Russian oil imports. However, it now wants to enshrine a full phase-out of Russian oil in legislation that would remain in force even if a peace deal in the war in Ukraine leads to EU sanctions being lifted.

A draft agenda seen by Reuters indicates the Commission plans to put forward the proposal on 15 April. EU agendas are provisional, and the date may still change.

Supplies of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline have been interrupted since 27 January, when Kyiv said a Russian drone strike damaged pipeline equipment in the west of Ukraine.

Slovakia and Hungary claim Ukraine is responsible for the prolonged disruption. Kyiv, meanwhile, says it is trying to repair the pipeline.

Background: In 2025, pipeline oil supplies to Russian refineries fell to 228.34 million tonnes – the lowest level since 2010.

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