German embargo on Russian oil shipments goes into effect
Germany’s ban on oil imports from Russian pipelines goes into effect on Sunday, as Berlin accelerates a shift away from Moscow’s exports amid the war on Ukraine.
The European Union imposed a ban on imports of Russian crude oil transported by sea since the fifth of last December, but oil transported through pipelines was excluded.
However, Germany and Poland pledged to avoid taking advantage of these exceptions and to stop the use of oil coming through the Druzhba pipeline, as of January 1.
The move, which comes at the beginning of 2023, affects the major refineries located in Schwedt, in the state of Brandenburg and Luena, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, which supply fuel to eastern Germany.
However, supplies are safe, according to the government and the oil industry, after fears that the war could lead to energy shortages.
