EU Proposes Permanent Ban on Russian Oil Imports; Moscow Slams Move as "Madness"

The European Commission is set to formalize its energy decoupling from Russia by submitting a legal proposal for a permanent ban on oil imports on April 15. This move aims to solidify existing temporary measures into a long-term regulatory framework, ensuring no return to pre-war energy dependencies. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova sharply criticized the plan, labeling it "madness" and questioning the economic rationality of European leadership. Market analysts suggest that a permanent ban could institutionalize supply constraints, potentially maintaining a high geopolitical risk premium for global benchmarks. Consequently, prices for Brent Crude and WTI may face upward pressure as the industry adjusts to restructured long-term supply routes. The escalation highlights the deepening rift between the EU and Moscow, with energy security remaining at the forefront of the geopolitical conflict.