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DAVOS, Switzerland – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has ruled out reaching an EU-wide agreement to ban Russian oil imports at next week’s European Council summit.
In an interview with POLITICO on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, von der Leyen said he did not want to generate “false expectations” of an agreement to be reached next week.
“I don’t think it’s an appropriate issue for the European Council to resolve because it’s very technical what we’re discussing,” he said. “We are talking about landlocked countries that need an alternative supply through gas pipelines, so we need to talk about investment in gas pipelines, to increase supply, and we are talking about refineries that need to be upgraded, and investment and renewable energy. ”
His comments come after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he would not discuss Russian sanctions at the May 30-31 summit.
Imposing sanctions on Russian oil is a key test of the EU’s credibility. It has been almost three weeks since von der Leyen proposed a “complete ban” on all imports of Russian crude oil and refined fuels, in an effort to cut off a lucrative revenue stream that helps Vladimir Putin finance his invasion of Russia. ‘Ukraine.
Despite numerous rounds of talks and the offer of more time to prepare for a ban, Hungary has maintained an agreement on sanctions between the 27 EU countries. Budapest has warned that banning Russian oil would be a devastating blow to the Hungarian economy.
The Orbán government has suggested that it will cost between 15 billion and 18 billion euros to move away from its dependence on Russian oil, including the overhaul of the refinery and gas pipeline infrastructure. Talks are underway in Brussels on how to respond to Hungary’s cash demands.
“There is one political element that could be discussed: that is, how many others are 26 [member countries] willing to give in as an investment in Hungary, but the first and foremost difficulty is the techniques we are discussing right now, “von der Leyen said.
When asked if he expected the issue to be discussed at next week’s summit, he said, “I don’t expect it, I don’t want to raise false expectations here.”
Von der Leyen also indicated that he would speak with Orbán in the coming days.
“I visited him in Budapest to understand the implications, and objectively it is a strong and difficult technical problem. Of course, there is always politics, but it is above all a technical problem and, of course, we are in constant contact with the two cabinets, because it is … very technical what has to go on. “
He added: “If necessary, I am always in touch with him by phone.”
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