EU embargo on Russian coal imports takes effect from August

(Patria) - The European Union has approved an embargo on the import of Russian coal and the closure of ports to Russian ships. The measure will take effect in mid-August, a month later than originally planned, after pressure from Germany to postpone the implementation of the decision, reports the news agency Reuters.

The package also includes a ban on exports to Russia worth 10 billion euros, including high technologies, and the freezing of assets of several Russian banks.

France says the sanction is estimated at 4 billion euros annually.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that if not natural gas, then oil will soon follow.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in London today. Johnson is expected to offer Germany, which relies heavily on Russian gas, assistance in reducing its dependence on energy imports from Russia.