BBC Europe Correspondent says Europe Might Call an Oil Embargo Not Natural Gas After French Elections

BBC Europe Correspondent Katya Adler said an oil embargo might come sooner than expected. The delay was due to the French presidential elections before the EU committed to a broad oil ban. But it was not Germany that staggered the decision but France, according to Adler.

EU Oil Embargo Might Backfire on Them

Adler remarked that the EU leaders are thought to have planned to defer putting sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports until after the election not to influence the outcome, reported the Express UK.

In retaliation for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, European Union member states have contemplated banning Russian oil and gas imports. The sixth tranche of sanctions applied by Brussels will be to cut imports of Russian oil as part of it. But the sanctions will have to be discussed and how they would affect the members concerned, states Reuters.

Some countries that rely substantially on Russian imports, including Germany, Hungary, and Poland, have objected to the decision. Several states, however, have changed their stance in recent days.

Germany's Economy Minister, Robert Habeck, declared on Tuesday that the country's oil embargo was becoming controllable. He added that Berlin hopes to substitute Russian oil with supplies from other suppliers in days.

According to European commentators, EU leaders could be poised to approve such an embargo in the wake of the French presidential election, which may have delayed the move. Adler posted on social media that Germany could end oil imports sooner.

BBC Europe Correspondent Katya Adler stated that the EU will not impose an oil embargo against Russia until after the French presidential election, which is currently looming, noted Around the World journal.

An earlier tweet on April 15 mentioned that Berlin would allow oil sanctions against Moscow. This was before the crucial French elections.

Furthermore, the EU did not want to affect the election with an imminent gas price hike that would follow stopping oil imports; but stressed it's not the French elections. It takes all 27-bloc member to sanction a total ban; changes in Ukraine has prompted Brussels to buy time.

France Elections Delays Oil Embargo

Last week, France's Economy Minister Brune Le Maire called on the EU to emphasize a Russian oil embargo more than a gas restriction, though he admitted that not all of the bloc's members were on board with the move.

He addressed it and claimed that they are attempting to persuade our European allies to cease acquiring Russian oil that gas has been the source of Russia's earnings.

President Emmanuel Macron, who was elected to a second term as France's president last weekend, stated his support for a boycott of Russian oil and coal previously in response to claims of atrocities committed by Russian troops in the town of Bucha earlier this month.

Based on Eurostat data, Russia is Europe's biggest oil supplier, contributing to more than a quarter of EU oil imports in 2020.

However, the EU's senior diplomat, Josep Borrell, dashed hopes that an EU ban was forthcoming on Monday not enough members wanted it.

BBC Europe Correspondent Katya Adler said that an oil embargo could come if all EU members decide on it sooner; all 27 but holdouts are concerned about their impact.