Serbia will not receive Russian oil from November 1 due to EU sanctions: President Vucic

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vucic, declared on June 14 that due to EU sanctions, his country will be unable to acquire Russian oil. President Vucic anunced that, as a result of EU's latest round of sanctions, his country will longer receive Russian oil exports beginning vember 1. He said that Russian fuel is first brought by tankers to Croatia before being processed via riatic oil pipeline.

Serbia imports almost all of its oil, which accounts for over 70% of its total consumption. According to Vucic, Western sanctions on Moscow will cost Belgre $600 million this year. He previously stated that his country has suffered ermous losses as a result of fines, mainly owing to limits on oil shipments.

"Dozens of new problems appear every day… From vember 1, we will t be able to import Russian oil under current sanctions, and who kws what or restrictions will be opted by that time," Vucic stated.

This month, EU agreed on a sixth round of sanctions against Russia in retaliation for its military offensive against Ukraine, including an oil embargo. Members of EU have six months to stop importing Russian oil by sea or pipeline, and eight months to stop buying "or refined petroleum products." A temporary exemption will be granted to nations that are more reliant on Russian energy, such as Czech Republic, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

Serbia needs 120,000 tonnes of fuel for  winter: Vucic

Serbia has declined to join Russian sanctions coalition, despite rising pressure from European Union, and continues to retain connections with Moscow. Last month, Vucic stated that Serbia would prioritise its own national interests. " country is getting rey for a severe winter. We intend to provide all that is essential, We need to make sure we have eugh fuel oil, but NIS oil company does t have eugh fuel oil. We'll import 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil, but we need 120,000 tonnes for whole winter," he explained.

Vucic went on to say that re was fuel oil available anywhere right w, so Serbia h to import it from Romania via barge. Since Russia's recognition of n-government-controlled portions of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts on February 21, 2022, and unprovoked and unlawful invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, EU has placed a slew of ditional sanctions on Russia. EU has implemented sanctions on Russia in six packs, including targeted restrictive measures (individual sanctions), ecomic sanctions, and diplomatic measures. 

(Im: AP)