Poland urges EU unity to slap sanctions on Russian energy

May 2, 2022

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BRUSSELS –

On Monday, Poland called on its European Union partners to unite to impose severe sanctions on Russia’s oil- and natural gas sector over the conflict in Ukraine. They also urged them not to succumb to Russian pressure to pay for their gas using Russian rubles.

EU ministers meet in Brussels to discuss Russia’s decision last Wednesday to reduce gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. Gazprom, an energy giant, claims that the two countries didn’t pay their bills in April.

“We will ask for sanctions to be taken immediately against Russian oil & gas. This is the next and most urgent and absolute step,” Anna Moskwa, Polish Climate and Environment Minister, said. said. “We already have coal. It’s time for oil and the second step is for gas. It is best to combine them all.

Gazprom, Russia’s energy giant, cut supplies to Poland and Bulgaria last week in a move that was branded as “blackmail” by Europe. This was in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin saidRussia’s currency and rubles must be used for gas payments by “unfriendly” nations.

As with most EU countries, Bulgarian and Polish have declined to do so. Gazprom bills will be due again on May 20, and the bloc fears that Russia could turn off even more taps. Russia denies any claims of blackmail.

Around 40% of EU 27 nations import gas from Russia. Some member countries, including Slovakia and Hungary, are more dependent than others on Russian supplies. There is support for the gradual lifting of an oil embargo.

Germany believes it can cope with a cutoff in Russian oil supplies. Robert Habeck, Economy Minister saidRussian oil now accounts 12% of total imported goods, down from 35% prior to the war. The bulk of the Russian oil goes to the Schwedt Refinery near Berlin.

“Germany does not oppose an oil ban from Russia.” Habeck stated that although it was a burden, he said that he was ready to take on the task. He saidIt would take a few weeks or months longer to find oil-transporting ships and better prepare harbours, pipelines, and other infrastructure.

He said, “Time is useful, but I believe other countries have greater problems. As I have asked for solidarity and understanding of the German situation I also have the ability to understand the more difficult situation for other nations.” said.

Monday’s meeting will focus on securing gas supplies. Putin’s demand that Russian companies pay for gas in rubles is not being met, and the bulk of Monday’s meeting will remain focused on this. Nearly 97% of European contracts were concluded in dollars or euros.

The EU’s executive arm, the European Commission has warned companies that they will be subject to EU sanctions if they agree to convert rubles from euros via two accounts at Gazprombank.

We shouldn’t support Gazprombank and we shouldn’t be supporting the Russian economy. We are not required to follow Putin’s decree. We’ve got European law. We’ve got national laws,” Moskwa said. She also stated that Poland’s gas supply is not in danger.

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops in February, the EU has issued a series of sanctions against Russian officials, bankers, oligarchs, and other organizations. The Commission is currently working on a sixth round, which could include oil restrictions. It may announce them this week.

The member countries will need to approve the measures. This could take several days.

Despite the pressure, Europe has some leverage in this dispute because it pays Russia $400 million per day for gas. This is a significant dent in Moscow’s coffers if it chooses to cut off.

A fuel tanker was seen at anchor off the Dutch North Sea coast as workers from Amsterdam waited for it to return. saidThey refused to unload the cargo of Russian diesel. Sunny Liger, a Marshall Islands-flagged Sunny Liger, was originally scheduled to unload in Sweden. But dockers refused to do the work.

FNV dockers union Dutch port workers claim they refused to unload the tanker because of solidarity with their Swedish colleagues. Asmae Hajjari, a spokeswoman for the union, stated that “the ship was not welcome.”

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Frank Jordans, Berlin, and Mike Corder, The Hague contributed to the report