EU bans Czech Republic from importing Russian oil

The EU has revoked the permit previously granted to the Czech Republic for the purchase of Russian oil, which became part of the new, 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. As a result of this decision, the Czech Republic lost the opportunity to import oil from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline. Information about this change was confirmed in the official statement of the Council of the EU.

The measures taken on Friday finally lifted the exception that allowed the Czech Republic to circumvent some restrictions on supplies. The council's published communique stresses that the decision was taken as part of a further tightening of anti-Russian sanctions. «The Council decided to lift the exception for oil supplies from Russia to the Czech Republic,» the document says.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has already begun to reduce oil imports. In 2024, as reported by the National Statistical Office (CZSO) through the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the total volume of oil imports fell by 12% compared to 2023, amounting to 6.5 million tons. 

Of this volume, 2.7 million tons, which is 42%, still came from Russia, although this figure was 1.6 times lower than a year earlier. Despite a noticeable decrease in the share, Russia continues to be the largest supplier of oil to the Czech Republic.