Poland Presses EU for Halting Russian Oil Imports by 2026 - The Guardian (Paraphrased)
In a significant development, Polish Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka has sent a letter to other EU energy ministers, urging them to accelerate the phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports. This call comes days after Russian drones violated Poland's airspace, and amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has already announced plans to speed up the phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports. However, the previous plan was to stop buying Russian oil and gas by 2028. Motyka, supported by countries in Eastern Europe and the United States, is pushing for a faster end to Russian fuel imports, with a proposed deadline of 2026.
The urgency of this call is further highlighted by recent events in Russia. Reports suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin urgently left Moscow for a bunker in Valdai, and there has been a shooting incident near Moscow for which Putin addressed the Russian people 12 hours later. These incidents have raised concerns about the political and economic stability of Russia.
Moreover, Russian oil continues to be delivered to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current sanctions and the need for a more coordinated approach.
In response to these challenges, Motyka has proposed measures to safeguard access to alternative oil sources in the event of disruptions. He also calls for coordinated compensatory mechanisms to assist in the transition away from Russian oil. These mechanisms are intended to ensure a fair and orderly transition for the most affected countries.
The US, under pressure from former President Donald Trump, is also pushing the EU for a faster end to Russian fuel imports to cut Russia's war financing. Trump has urged EU and NATO countries to stop purchasing Russian oil, which may be a condition for future US sanctions against Moscow.
Motyka argues that the current international circumstances require a common response from the EU. He believes that committing to a 2026 deadline would establish a clear timeline for ending oil imports, providing a sense of direction and stability in these uncertain times.
The letter from Motyka has sparked a debate within the EU about the best course of action regarding Russian oil imports. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the EU will respond to this urgent call for action.
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