Poland Ready To Help Germany Stop Russian Oil Imports

JAKARTA - Poland is ready to help Germany stop using Russian oil, Climate Minister Anna Moscow said on Monday.

He added that he hoped the EU embargo could take effect before the end of this year.

Poland has called for tougher measures against Russia, but since many EU countries rely heavily on Moscow for energy, the bloc appears to be divided over how sanctions will be applied.

"As Poles, we are ready to support Germany's ambition to derustify with our refinery in Gdansk," said Moscow. "I hope it will be the last vote that will ... block these oil sanctions."

Russia cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland last week after the two countries refused to comply with Moscow's demands to effectively use the rouble for payments.

Moscow has previously said that the main EU member states that have resisted tougher gas sanctions against Russia include Austria, Germany and Hungary.

According to him, the bloc should punish countries that use the ruble to pay for Russian gas.

Moscow also said Poland wants the European Union to set a clear deadline for when member states must stop imports of Russian oil.

"We want this (sanctions) package to include clear and very country-specific dates and conditions ... so that it becomes a complete package with no loopholes."