EU Agrees to Cap Russian Oil at $60 per Barrel

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels (Reuters)
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels (Reuters)
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EU Agrees to Cap Russian Oil at $60 per Barrel

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels (Reuters)
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels (Reuters)

European countries agreed to cap Russian oil price at $60 per barrel to further weaken Moscow's ability to finance its war in Ukraine.

With this agreement, the bloc countries joined their allies in the Group of Seven (G7), especially the US, UK, and Australia, after Poland obstructed the measure before it withdrew its objection on Friday evening.

The cap is set to be implemented starting Monday when the European Union's embargo on Russian seaborne crude goes into force.

Energy expert Phuc-Vinh Nguyen of Jacques Delors Institute said Russia had earned $71 billion selling oil to EU clients since its February invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's annual defense budget is estimated at $63 billion.

"We can formally agree to the decision," Poland's EU ambassador, Andrzej Sados, told reporters after his country pressed to set a lower price, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The EU presidency, currently held by the Czech Republic, confirmed member state ambassadors had agreed on the price cap and that the decision would enter into force when published in the EU official journal this weekend.

On Friday, the White House also "welcomed" the agreement, and National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Friday that "the cap itself will have the desired effect on limiting Putin's ability to profit off of oil sales and limit his ability to continue to use that money to fund his war machine."

The EU sanctioned Russian oil traveling by sea beyond the $60 limit to curb the revenue Moscow earns from deliveries to countries such as China or India.

The measure will enhance the effectiveness of the European ban, which comes months after the US and Canada ban.

Russia is the second largest exporter of crude oil in the world. Without setting a ceiling, it will be straightforward for them to reach new buyers at market prices.



Oil Rises as Tight Market Supports despite Big OPEC+ Hike

A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev/File Photo
A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev/File Photo
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Oil Rises as Tight Market Supports despite Big OPEC+ Hike

A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev/File Photo
A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev/File Photo

Oil on Monday shrugged off the impact of OPEC+ hiking output more than expected for August as well as concern about the potential impact of US tariffs, with prices rising as a tight physical market lent support.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed on Saturday to raise production by 548,000 barrels per day in August, more than the 411,000 bpd hikes they made for the earlier three months.

Brent crude futures fell as low as $67.22 a barrel but by 1320 GMT were up 88 cents, or 1.3%, to $69.18. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $67.60, up 60 cents, or 0.9%, and up from an earlier low of $65.40, Reuters reported.

"For now, the oil market remains tight, suggesting it can absorb additional barrels," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

The OPEC+ decision will bring nearly 80% of the 2.2 million bpd voluntary cuts from eight OPEC producers back into the market, RBC Capital analysts, led by Helima Croft, said in a note.

Goldman analysts expect OPEC+ to announce a final 550,000 bpd increase for September at the next meeting on August 3.

Oil had also come under pressure as US officials flagged a delay on when tariffs would begin but failed to provide details on changes to the rates that will be imposed. Investors are worried higher tariffs could slow economic activity and oil demand.

"Concerns over Trump's tariffs continue to be the broad theme in the second half of 2025, with dollar weakness the only support for oil for now," said Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.