Germany ready to support EU embargo on Russia oil without Hungary

BERLIN, May 23 (PRIME) -- Germany is ready to support the E.U.’s embargo on Russian oil without participation of Hungary, but the proposal should be made by the European Commission, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday, as broadcasted by Deutschlandfunk radio.

“If the head of the European Commission says that, we will do it now in the composition of 26 (E.U. states) without Hungary. This is the way I would choose, but I have not heard it from the E.U. so far. In this case I would be ready that… the European Commission leads the negotiations,” he said.

Germany recognizes that some E.U. states need a longer period to get rid of Russian oil imports, he also said.

Habeck added that there is progress in negotiations on abandoning Russian gas by Europe.

“There is progress. We have reduced our dependence on the gas from Russia from 55% before (Russia’s military operation in Ukraine) to 35%. If everything does well, we will have two floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals by Christmas or by the end of the year. The storages are filled slowly, but securely,” he said.

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