BRUSSELS: All European Union governments on Saturday completed the written approval of a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian seaborne oil, the European Commission said, paving the way for its publication in the EU’s Official Journal and entry into force on December 5.
The measure, an idea of the Group of Seven nations, comes on top of the EU’s embargo on imports of Russian seaborne crude that also kicks in on December 5, and is meant to allow oil-related services to third countries only for those cargoes below the cap.
“The G7 and all EU Member States have taken a decision that will hit Russia’s revenues even harder and reduce its ability to wage war in Ukraine,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
“It will also help us to stabilise global energy prices, benefiting countries across the world who are currently confronted with high oil prices,” she said. The price cap will prohibit G7 companies dealing with the insurance, re-insurance or financing of oil trade or to handle Russian crude oil cargoes to third countries unless the oil was sold at or below the $60 per barrel price cap. Urals crude closed trade on Friday at $67.44.
From Monday, the EU itself will not be buying any Russian seaborne crude. The bloc will also stop any imports of Russian petroleum products from February 5. A G7 price cap on the petroleum products will also be set later. — AFP
