Poland is lobbying for measures that can prevent oil imports from Russia, which persist after the imposition of sanctions. Recall that back in May, Warsaw announced that it would try to stop supplies via the northern branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline by the end of the year. Germany made a similar promise. Both countries hoped that these steps would strengthen the effect of the embargo on oil supplies by sea, which comes into force on December 5. After this day, only Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic will remain importers of oil from the Russian Federation along the southern branch of Druzhba. Now Poland insists on sanctions against the northern branch, as well as on revising the system of duties for countries that will continue to receive oil through the southern branch. It is worth noting that measures regarding the pipeline will require unanimity at the EU level, which Hungary may oppose. However, to resolve the issue of duties, only a qualified majority is sufficient with approval at the level of State authorities. The Polish Foreign Minister said that Warsaw needs sanctions against the Druzhba pipeline in order to avoid paying penalties. At the same time, it became known earlier that the Polish company Orlen submitted an application to Transneft to receive 3 million tons of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline in 2023. However, Orlen stated that such an application «represents solely a reservation of the potential capacity» of the pipeline.
