FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF OF EU HOPEFUL OF DEAL ON RUSSIAN OIL BAN

Mon 30 May 2022:

European Union leaders will meet on Monday and Tuesday to discuss a new sanctions package against Russia including an oil embargo.

EU governments have been unable to agree on a sixth package of sanctions against Moscow because the proposed embargo on Russian oil is not acceptable to Hungary and a big problem for Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck expressed fears ahead of the summit that EU unity was “starting to crumble” and draft conclusions of the meeting, seen by Reuters, indicated there will be little in terms of new decisions.

But EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said there would be an agreement, with a deal on the next sanctions package by Monday afternoon.

“We need to decide unanimously. There were tough talks yesterday afternoon, as well as this morning,” Borrell told broadcaster France Info on Monday morning, adding: “I think that this afternoon, we will be able to offer to the heads of the member states an agreement.”

Asked if plans to include a ban to import Russian oil could fail over the resistance from Hungary and other eastern European states, Borrell said: “No, I don’t think so … there will be an agreement in the end.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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