Europe was ready to face pressure to reduce its use of Russian crude, said Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy minister and deputy chancellor. However, he said the move should be properly prepared and should take into account the high dependence of some EU countries on Russian supplies. “We are going to hurt ourselves, that’s clear,” he said ahead of an emergency meeting of EU energy ministers discussing an embargo on Russian oil. “It is inconceivable that sanctions should not have consequences for our economy and for prices in our countries,” he said. “We as Europeans are ready to endure [the economic strain] in order to help Ukraine. “But there is no way this will not cost us.” Habeck said it was important for Europe not to “face financially unmanageable scenarios”. Germany had made “great progress” in finding alternatives to Russian coal and oil, “but other countries may need more time.” EU energy ministers met on Monday to discuss the expected sixth package of sanctions against Russia being drafted by Brussels. Diplomats say it will include a gradual oil embargo that will take full effect by the end of the year. The EU ambassadors, meeting on Wednesday, will have to agree unanimously on any of the Commission’s plans to enter into force. Member States are still divided over the idea of ​​banning Russian oil. Hungary has said it will block an agreement unless it can guarantee supplies from elsewhere. Hungary and Slovakia have infrastructures built for the management of Russian crude and without ports have few alternative sources. Germany would need time to adjust its own infrastructure before stopping all Russian crude shipments, Habek said. Poland and the Baltic states, on the other hand, want an immediate ban on Russian oil, while Italy has proposed a price cap or tariff on Russian imports. Russia supplies about a quarter of EU oil and two-thirds of Hungary’s oil.

The energy ministers also cited a decision by Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom to cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after the two countries refused to comply with a Kremlin order to settle ruble payments through Gazprombank. Brussels has told member states that using the system established by Moscow would violate EU sanctions. Several companies, including Hungary’s Mol, have said they will comply with Moscow’s request because a shutdown would hurt the economy. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting of the energy ministers, Kadri Simson, EU Energy Commissioner, said that in the coming days, Brussels will publish more detailed instructions on what companies can and cannot do when these are payments to Gazprom. He warned that paying in rubles in accordance with the procedure laid down by Russia would constitute a breach of EU sanctions. Gazprom’s decision to cut off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria last week was, he added, “an unjustified breach of existing contracts and a warning that any Member State could be next.” “Member States and companies should not have the illusion that they can rely on the good faith of Gazprom and the Russian regime in this matter,” he said. Anna Moskva, Poland’s climate minister, urged countries not to comply with Moscow’s demands. “We call on the countries not to support us [Russian president Vladimir] Putin decree. We must not support Gazprombank. “We must not support the Russian economy,” he told reporters ahead of the meeting, calling for an immediate blockade of Russian oil and gas. Poland’s gas storage was 80 percent complete and could soon be completely independent of Russian supplies, he said. The Czech Republic and Slovakia told the FT they wanted clearer guidance before pledging not to use the Kremlin system. They wanted guaranteed supplies from other EU countries. Prague and Bratislava are also seeking reassurances before backing an oil embargo. “We will not say no, but we need to know what solidarity will be after,” said Carol Galek, Slovakia’s deputy economy minister. “Slovakia can only use heavy oil from Russia.” The conversion of its refinery into light oil would take four years and would cost up to 250 million euros. It also supplies Austria, the Czech Republic and Ukraine, he said. Joseph Sikela, Czech Minister of Industry, said: “The Czech Republic is ready to support the embargo, but we need to be clear about common markets and fair distribution. “Pain must be shared equally.” Habek acknowledged that the embargo on Russian oil was an ambiguous weapon, which could lead to sharp increases in energy prices that would benefit the Kremlin. “You would have more revenue with less sales,” he said. There was also a risk that Russia would sell oil to the developing world at a discount, he said. “We need to make sure we are not directly affected by emotions,” he said, adding that an embargo should be part of an “overall strategy” and should not “accidentally hurt and strengthen Russia”.