Baltic States Urge EU to Accelerate Russian Oil Import Ban Amid Strait of Hormuz Reopening
The Baltic states urged the EU to accelerate a ban on Russian oil imports, as energy crisis fears did not materialize. This move aims to cut funding for Russia's war in Ukraine. While Russian oil imports have decreased, they still total 9.7 million tons.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have urged the European Union to accelerate a ban on Russian oil imports. This call came during a meeting of energy ministers on Friday, as EU fears of a severe energy crisis caused by the war in Iran did not materialize. The Baltic states argue that Russian energy exports finance the Kremlin's war in Ukraine.
Late last year, member states agreed that the European Commission would consider a ban. However, negotiations stalled after the outbreak of war in Iran in late February, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and raised fears of an energy supply crisis. Movement through the strait is now gradually resuming after a US-Iran agreement to extend the truce.
According to the Commission, oil imports from Russia accounted for 2% of total supplies in 2025, down from 27% in early 2022, but still amounting to 9.7 million tons of crude oil. Poland supports a ban by year-end, acknowledging potential impacts on prices and availability. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen noted that the situation in the Middle East makes it «more likely» that Europe will avoid aviation fuel shortages this summer, but a return to normal in the oil market will take months.