The EU has decided to postpone the ban on petroleum products from Russian oil

The EU has approved the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on the import of petroleum products from Russian oil. The measures will only come into force in six months due to the significant share of Russian diesel in the EU. Since January 2026, the purchase and transfer of products made from Russian oil is prohibited, even if processing took place in third countries. Importers are required to confirm the origin of the raw materials.
The sanctions also prohibit technical, intermediary, and financial assistance related to these shipments. The restrictions affected India's Nayara Energy, where Rosneft owns 49%. This refinery, which processes 20 million tons of oil per year, provides Europe with diesel and aviation kerosene, mainly from Russian raw materials.
After the EU refused to supply Russian oil directly, India increased its purchases, becoming the main supplier of diesel to the region (20 million tons per year), surpassing the United States. However, experts warn of the risks to the European market: American refineries are operating at their limits, and Europe continues to close its refineries. More than 40% of diesel in the EU and the UK comes from East Asia, which increases the region's dependence on imports.