Deliveries of Russian oil to some European countries via Ukraine have been interrupted after a bank transaction was refused because of sanctions against Moscow, the Russian company responsible for transporting hydrocarbons announced on Tuesday.
In a press release, Transneft explains that its payment for the right of transit through Ukraine for the month of August, made on July 22, was refused on July 28 because of the entry into force of certain sanctions against Moscow. .
As a result, the Ukrainian company UkrTransNafta "
stopped providing services for the transportation of oil through Ukrainian territory from August 4
", Transneft said.
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These are deliveries via a branch of the Druzhba pipeline passing through Ukraine and serving three European countries without access to the sea, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Deliveries to Poland and Germany, via another branch of Druzhba transiting through Belarus, "
continue as normal
", Transneft said.
Despite Russia's military offensive there since the end of February, Russian oil and gas continue to transit via Ukraine to the European Union, several of whose members are heavily dependent on hydrocarbons from Moscow.
The EU adopted in June a gradual embargo on Russian oil, providing in particular for the cessation of crude oil imports by boat within six months.
Supply via the Druzhba pipeline was, on the other hand, authorized to continue "
temporarily
", without a deadline, a concession obtained by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is cultivating his relations with Vladimir Putin and on whom the country depends for 65% on its consumption of this cheap Russian oil.
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European countries have been trying since the conflict in Ukraine to reduce their energy dependence on Russia and accuse Moscow of using its hydrocarbon deliveries as a “
weapon of war
”.
Russia has thus sharply reduced its gas deliveries to Europe in recent weeks.
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