Czech Republic will not seek an exemption from EU sanctions on Russian oil imports

The Czech Republic has decided not to apply to the European Union for an extension of the exemption from the European ban on imports of Russian oil products, which was introduced in 2022. This decision was confirmed to Reuters by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The ban on the supply of Russian oil products was approved as part of EU sanctions against Russia. However, the EU granted exemptions to Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic to allow them time to find alternative sources of supply.

“In the context of the current situation and the steps that the Czech Republic is taking to ensure its independence from oil imports from Russia, the Czech Republic sees no reason to extend the exemption,” Czech Industry Ministry spokesman Marek Vošahlík told Reuters.

For the Czech Republic, the exemption expires on December 5. The country imports almost 8 million tons of oil a year from two sources: almost 60% through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports oil from Russia, and the rest through the German IKL pipeline, which connects to the Italian TAL pipeline, which starts in Trieste.

Earlier, the Czech Republic declared that it wants to get rid of its dependence on Russian oil by expanding TAL. This is expected to double the capacity of oil transported to the Czech Republic to eight million tons per year starting next year.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has previously said that the Czech Republic will get rid of its dependence on Russian oil by mid-2025 at the latest.

Instead, neighboring Slovakia wants to extend its exemption from the EU ban on imports from Russia. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said he wants to discuss at the European Union level the possibility to extend the waiver from the ban on imports of Russian oil.

According to Blanar, energy security is important for Slovakia, “and we are very open about the fact that Russia has been a reliable partner.”

The EU imposed sanctions on Russian oil following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, although Slovakia and neighboring Czech Republic and Hungary have secured exemptions until they switch to other sources.

However, because the Druzhba pipeline supplies Russian oil at a lower cost than the alternative, the transition is becoming increasingly challenging.

The Western sanctions against Russia’s oil industry aim to increase pressure on the Russian economy and reduce Moscow’s profits, which are used to fund Russia’s war against Ukraine.