EU to allow energy firms to buy Russian fuel without breaching sanctions

Brussels, May 17 - Neftegaz.RU. The EU has issued revised guidelines to member states that allows companies to continue buying Russian gas without breaching EU sanctions, reported Bloomberg News, citing a spokesperson.

The companies will be allowed to purchase Russian gas in accordance with EU sanctions, which have been imposed on Moscow in the wake of its military action against Ukraine.

Earlier this month, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced a total embargo on oil imports from Russia within the EU.
The proposed embargo would block Russian oil imports within 6 months, whereas the imports of refined product would be stopped before the end of 2022.

As per the updated recommendations, the European companies are obligated to make ‘clear statement of their obligations fulfilled’ upon making their gas payments in either euros or dollars.
The commission said:

• The EU sanctions do not prevent economic operators from opening a bank account in a designated bank for payments due under contracts for the supply of gas in a gaseous state, in the currency specified in those contracts
• Operators should make a clear statement that they intend to fulfil their obligations under existing contracts and consider their contractual obligations regarding the payment already fulfilled by paying in euros or dollars, in line with the existing contracts

The EU’s revised guidelines does not stop European companies from opening an account with Russian bank Gazprombank.
The guidance does stop the firms from making gas payments in rubles.