European Union members are working to reach an agreement during the talks between officials on a new package of sanctions against Russia, including restrictions on Russian oil imports , said European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell Fontelles.
– We need to decide unanimously. There were tough negotiations yesterday afternoon as well as this morning. I think that this afternoon we will be able to offer an agreement to the leaders of the member states – said the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell for the radio network France Info.
There was no agreement on Sunday
EU governments failed to reach an agreement Sunday on an embargo on Russian oil, REUTERS reported, which they are seeking to reach by the start of the EU summit on Monday afternoon.
Asked whether the plan to ban the import of Russian oil could fail due to the opposition of Hungary and other Eastern European countries, Borrell answered: “No, I don’t think so … there will be an agreement in the end.”
Circumstances of all
The proposal, discussed by member states on Sunday night, would ban Russian oil imported into the EU by sea by the end of the year, which would not apply to the oil supplied by Hungary to Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
– We have taken into account the individual circumstances of all (EU members) – said Borrell, adding that the solution at the EU level will be given by three countries, which account for seven to eight percent of Russian oil, “more time to adjust”.
