Why Russian diesel may still end up in the Netherlands despite total ban

Sanctions

The EU is trying to hit the wallet of Russian government with all kinds of sanctions. No crude Russian oil has entered the Netherlands since Dec. 5 last year, and coal imports had been banned since August. Now the sanctions package is being expanded to include an import ban on Russian petroleum products such as diesel and kerosene.

Detour

Still, there is a chance that you will soon fill up your car with (partly) Russian diesel. In fact, according to Climate and Energy Minister Rob Jetten, it cannot be completely ruled out that Russian petroleum or petroleum products enter Europe indirectly, because it is sometimes mixed elsewhere, making it difficult to trace its origin.

Price Ceiling

Besides banning imports of Russian diesel and other oil products, the EU member states have also decided to put a maximum price on these Russian products: above this price, no EU company will be allowed to transport, insure or provide any other service for them. The price ceiling alone is estimated to deprive the Russian government of some 160 million euros daily.

No deficits

The Dutch need not worry that there will be physical shortages in the short term. There has been solid penetration and refineries in the Netherlands are hard at work switching to oil from other countries. Moreover, the strategic stockpile of oil and oil products is in order, according to the government.

Also read: Car with diesel engine has never been more expensive