Russia Condemns EU's Planned Permanent Ban on Russian Oil Imports

Russia strongly criticized the European Union's plans for a permanent ban on imports of Russian oil, describing them as “crazy.” Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, expressed the view that such a decision is irrational. The EU plans to submit a legal proposal for the ban on April 15th, shortly after the parliamentary elections in Hungary. This move is part of the EU's ongoing efforts to exert economic pressure on Russia due to the continuing conflict in Ukraine. Russia has already warned that it will take retaliatory measures if such sanctions are imposed.