The European Commission is closely monitoring the impact of U.S. sanctions on oil companies within the European Union and neighboring countries, including the Republic of Moldova, through the Coordination Group for Oil and Petroleum Products, which will convene soon. The group will analyze recent developments, but so far, no risks to supply security have been identified, said Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the Commission’s spokesperson for climate, energy, transport, and taxation, during a press briefing in response to a question from Jurnal TV.
When asked how the EU ensures that sanctions on Russian companies such as Lukoil do not affect the energy security of neighboring countries, Itkonen explained that the situation remains under constant observation.
“We monitor this very closely within the Coordination Group for Oil and Petroleum Products, which, if I’m not mistaken, will meet again at the end of this week. The group is already an established mechanism that enables us to stay in close contact, discuss developments almost in real time, and exchange information about ongoing events. So far, we have not received any information indicating an immediate impact on supply security,” the spokesperson said.
Itkonen added that EU member states must maintain emergency oil reserves equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports, ensuring stability in case of disruptions.
“The next meeting of the Coordination Group for Oil and Petroleum Products will certainly review the latest developments, but at this stage, we have no indication of supply security issues. Of course, given the approaching winter — the most critical period — we are monitoring the situation very closely,” she said.
Asked about potential EU assistance for the Republic of Moldova during the winter season, Itkonen confirmed that the process is underway.
“We have a winter readiness mechanism, similar to those in previous years, for both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. The process is still ongoing, and I don’t have specific details at the moment, but it remains a key topic — both from an energy perspective and in the context of enlargement,” she concluded.