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

European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen has said that the halt in the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline does not pose a threat to the European Union's energy security and reiterated that the EU intends to fully phase out Russian energy imports.

Source: European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, responding to a question from a European Pravda correspondent

Details: The EU has no intention of abandoning its plans to phase out all Russian energy imports, the commissioner stressed.

"We should also maybe start by reminding each other why it is that there's a problem with this pipeline. It's because Russia has destroyed it. Let's not forget that," Jørgensen said in response to European Pravda's question.

He emphasised that there are no concerns regarding security of supply, as alternative sources exist.

"Having said that, we have sent a very clear signal to Ukraine that we would like to see a timeline on when this Druzhba will be up and running again," the commissioner noted.

"But let me also underline that the Commission does intend to put forward 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, although two countries – Hungary and Slovakia – currently benefit from exemptions.

However, the EU will shortly propose a full ban on Russian oil imports.

"We will put forward a proposal to change that. So all countries need to prepare for this situation," Jørgensen stressed. "We do not want to buy energy from Russia in the future."

Background:

• As European Pravda has reported, Hungary and Slovakia initiated a discussion on the Druzhba pipeline with the Council of the EU on 16 March.
• Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has announced on the sidelines of an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting that Hungary will continue its blocking stance until Ukraine restores the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed the view that reopening the Druzhba pipeline would be equivalent to lifting sanctions on Russia.

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