Imports of oil and derivatives from Russia by the European Union (EU) fell by 90% to 1.4 million tonnes (Mt) in March, compared to the monthly average of 15.2 Mt between 2019 and 2022, according to Eurostat.
Also according to the EU’s statistical service, oil imports fell from 12.4 million tons in January 2022 (before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) to 3.7 million tons (-70%) last December, when the oil embargo came into effect.
Oil imports fell further to 1.17 million tonnes in March (-91%).
In contrast, purchases of Russian oil products fell from 3.3 million tons in January 2022 to 0.7 million tons in February 2023 (-90%), when the second embargo came into effect, and fell further to 0.3 million tons in March (-92%).
The first embargo on Russian oil was agreed in June 2022, in the sixth package of restrictive measures, and the second in December of the same year, banning petroleum products in February 2023.
Russia launched a war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Source: DN
