European Union introduces ban on import of diesel and oil derivatives from Russia

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The European Union has introduced a ban on the import of Russian diesel and other refined oil products in order to reduce energy dependence on Moscow.

The goal is to allow Russian diesel to be exported to countries such as China and India in order to avoid a sharp increase in prices that would harm consumers worldwide, while at the same time reducing the profit that finances Moscow's budget, and thus the war in Ukraine.

Diesel is crucial for the economy as it is used to power cars, trucks that transport goods, agricultural equipment, and factory machinery.

Following the new sanctions, there is uncertainty about prices as the 27 EU member states must secure new supplies of diesel from the US, the Middle East, and India to replace those from Russia, which at one point supplied 10% of Europe's total diesel needs.