Status: 02.06.2022 4:37 p.m
The EU countries have approved a sixth sanctions package including an oil embargo against Russia. But Hungary pushed through a change: the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, is spared punitive measures.
Because of Hungary’s resistance, the EU has initially decided not to impose sanctions on the Russian Orthodox Church leader, Patriarch Kirill. The sixth EU sanctions package, which also includes an extensive oil embargo, was approved by representatives of the EU states without the punitive measures actually planned against Cyril, as several diplomats confirmed.
Loyal supporter of Putin
According to the will of the other EU states, Kyrill should be put on the EU sanctions list because of his support for the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. He maintains close contact with President Vladimir Putin and has so far been loyal to the Kremlin. In his sermons, the 75-year-old repeatedly backed the course of war and recently even claimed that Russia had never attacked another country.
However, Hungary did not want to accept the sanctions. Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently justified his position “with the question of the freedom of belief of Hungarian religious communities”. This is “sacred and inalienable”.
Next oil from the Druzhba pipeline
The boycott against oil deliveries from Russia, which is particularly relevant from an economic point of view, stipulates that no more oil will be allowed into the EU by sea in the coming year. Only Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will be allowed to import Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline until further notice because of their high level of dependence.
According to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU will purchase around 90 percent less oil from Russia by the end of the year, despite the exception for pipeline deliveries. According to estimates by the EU think tank Bruegel, until recently, EU countries spent around 450 million euros a day on oil from Russia and 400 million euros on gas from Russia.
Swift exclusion for Sberbank
Other proposed sanctions include banning Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, from the Swift financial communications network. In addition, several Russian news channels will be banned in the EU.