Plans for EU oil embargo against Russia still raise questions

Plans for EU oil embargo against Russia still raise questions

Good morning and welcome to Europe Express.

Sanctions package number six is in the making, but concerns are being expressed including in Washington that if not carefully calibrated, a planned oil embargo could help, rather than hurt, Vladimir Putin fund the war in Ukraine. We’ll look at the arguments ahead of next week’s likely proposals to be discussed by EU ambassadors.

With the final round of the French presidential election happening on Sunday, we’ll bring you the latest oddity — external support from centre-left leaders urging voters to give Emmanuel Macron a second term in office.

In tech regulatory news, a deal is expected today on the Digital Services Act, which has become even more urgent, given the war propaganda and disinformation campaigns emanating from Russia.

Before we dig in, a quick reminder that as of tomorrow you’ll be receiving Europe Express Weekend, every Saturday.

Fine-tuning energy sanctions

The EU’s sixth package of sanctions against Russia, now under construction, is increasingly likely to include a phased-in oil embargo.

But officials admit the devil is in the detail when it comes to drawing up a new regime that punishes Russia, rather than inadvertently pumping up oil prices and Kremlin revenues, write Sam Fleming in Brussels, James Politi in