The European Commission has removed discussions on banning Russian oil imports from its April 15 meeting agenda, according to an announcement by Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a senior EC official, made during a press briefing in Brussels on March 24.
Itkonen stated that the commission could not provide a new timeline for publishing the proposed plan, noting that pre-published documents are frequently updated. “I can assure you that we remain committed to this proposal,” she said. Itkonen referenced European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s warning that re-importing Russian energy would be a repeat of past mistakes and a strategic error.
The official added that while the commission lacks a clear publication date for the new plan, it remains dedicated to completely phasing out Russian oil as soon as possible. She pledged to keep journalists informed of progress.
Reports indicate that the European Union may delay its decision to halt Russian oil imports due to Middle East supply disruptions caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Experts warn that prolonged energy supply failures could drive eurozone inflation to 6.3% in coming years.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the EU’s rejection of Russian gas, stating it “continues to shoot its voters in the foot.” He noted that if alternative markets become more attractive for Russian oil, Moscow would prioritize those avenues first.
