EU split on ending energy supplies from Russia

BBC:

EU split on ending energy supplies from Russia

How reliant are Germany and Hungary on Russian gas?



Ministers of European Union countries are discussing how to lessen their dependence on energy supplies from Russia - as a result of its invasion of Ukraine.

Germany has acknowledged EU nations are still divided on a possible Russian energy embargo. The energy minister says his country could handle an oil ban by the end of the year - but not a ban on gas.

Hungary has reiterated that it opposes a ban on either fuel.

Germany was the world's top importer of Russian gas in 2020, buying 42.6bn cubic metres - according the International Energy Agency.

Hungary, too, was one of Russia's top gas buyers - taking 11.6bn cubic metres that year.

The European Union as a whole bought 41% of its gas from Russia in 2019.


Poland calls for sanctions on Russian energy

Jessica Parker

Reporting from Brussels


Poland’s climate minister has called for "immediate sanctions" on Russian oil and gas.

Anna Moskwa was speaking as she arrived for an emergency meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels.

The agenda for today is primarily focussed on gas stocks and supplies, following Gazprom’s decision to cut off Poland and Bulgaria.

But, speaking in English, Ms Moskwa said fresh energy sanctions were a "necessary" and "urgent" step.

"We will support full sanctions on all Russian fossil fuels. We already have coal. Now it’s time for oil and second step is for gas. The best option is to take them all together."

The European Commission has been holding talks with member states about a potential oil embargo.

However Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck earlier conceded that not all member states were ready to approve such a plan.

Diplomatic sources have told the BBC that compromises are being looked at, particularly for countries such as Hungary and Slovakia.

Poland has generally taken a hard line on sanctions against Russia.