EU ban on Moscow’s oil ‘will come at cost’

GERMANY last night backed an EU-wide ban on Russian oil – but warned it will ‘come at a cost’.

The bloc could also be forced to soften any announcement after Hungary threatened to veto an outright ban.

The EU’s sixth package of sanctions could be unveiled as soon as today but would require unanimous agreement of all 27 member countries.

Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy minister and deputy chancellor, said Berlin backed the ban but warned of the knock-on effect for consumers.

EU sources conceded yesterday that Slovakia and Hungary could be offered ‘an exemption or a long transition period’ to keep the bloc united.

Poland said yesterday it is ready to be independent from Russian oil and is willing to support other countries to cut their supplies.