Is the UE closer to ban import of the Russian oil? Hungary and Germany are mitigating the objection

03 May 2022

The UE is working on the sixth package of sanctions against Russia. It is assumed that the most effective means would be a ban on import of oil – the movement, that the European countries are more and more prone to. Still, apart from at least two states.

The EU diplomats involved in the discussions assume that the package could be submitted next week the earliest. Joseph Borell said, however, that this issue will be discussed during the UE summit that will be held at the ned of May, and he does not expect any final decision in this matter until that time.

It is estimated that the most effective sanction would be a ban on import of oil, as in the case of the embargo imposed by the UE on the Russian coal last month. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Europe has paid Russia 14 billion euro for oil. Suspending the purchase of Russian oil would deprive Russia of the essential income source. The biggest recipient of this natural resource in Europe is Germany, Poland and the Netherlands.

While Ukraine and a number of EU member states, among others, Poland and Baltic countries demanded the ban on importing the Russian oil and gas, Germany and Hungary were the loudest opponents of this solution. They argued that it could seriously impair their own economies. Recently, however, Budapest has mitigated their objection. Gergely Gulyás, head of the Prime Minister’s office said last week that the Hungarian government would like to see what proposals were on the table and whether those proposals included alternatives for the substitutes of the natural resources from Russia”. However, Gulyás underlined that he still considered the gas embargo as “pointless”. There are many signs that also the attitude of Berlin has changed. “After weeks of hard work, Germany is very close to the possibility of getting rid entirely of the Russian oil” German minister for climate and economy Rober Habeck has announced.

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Registration for the 6th Three Seas Local Government Congress is now open

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The Three Seas Local Government Congress under the Honorary Patronage of the President of Poland

03 November 2025

The Three Seas Local Government Congress under the Honorary Patronage of the President of Poland

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03 November 2025

The 6 th edition of the Three Seas Local Government Congress will be held May 27-28, 2026, under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. This distinction recognises the growing importance of the event, which has become a key platform for cooperation among the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, both in the economic and infrastructural dimensions.

Over five editions of the Congress (2020–2025), more than 5,000 participants from 24 countries have taken part, 104 discussion panels have been held, and 64 foreign delegations have visited Lublin. The scale and international character of the event confirm its increasing role in shaping dialogue across the Three Seas region.

We, the countries representing Central and Eastern Europe (…) through the Three Seas Initiative, Via Baltica, and Via Carpatia, share not only our voice and vision of building a civic community, but also tangible results showing that the Baltic States and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are capable of implementing major infrastructure projects, emphasised President Karol Nawrocki during his visit to Vilnius last month.

These words perfectly capture the spirit of the Three Seas Congress, which brings together political, academic, and business communities around a shared goal, building a strong, integrated, and cooperative Central and Eastern Europe.

It is also worth noting that in April 2025, Poland hosted the 10th Three Seas Initiative Summit. During the event, participants emphasised the importance of infrastructure and economic cooperation in the region and the need to strengthen cohesion across Central and Eastern Europe. This year, the cooperation format has been expanded to include new members – Albania and Montenegro joined the Three Seas Initiative in the capacity of associated participating states, while Spain and Turkey became new strategic partners. It has already been announced that the 11th Summit will take place in Croatia in 2026.

We cordially invite you to take part in the Three Seas Local Government Congress! Registration will open in the end of January. More details will soon be available at www.congress.lubelskie.pl and on our social media channels.