The European Union has postponed the presentation of an initiative to impose a full ban on Russian oil amid the war with Iran, rising prices, and an escalating dispute over the Druzhba pipeline, reports Euronews.
As European Commission energy spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated, the presentation of the legislative proposal under the REPowerEU plan, scheduled for April 15, will not take place.
“I do not have a new date to share. I can assure you that we remain committed to preparing this proposal. The proposal will be submitted,” Itkonen stressed.
According to Euronews, the decision is linked to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which “upended energy markets and closed the Strait of Hormuz.” The report also notes that Hungary and Slovakia have already challenged restrictions on Russian gas in court and warned they are prepared to take similar action if the oil ban moves forward. At the same time, Budapest and Bratislava are demanding that Ukraine resume the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.