Poland urges EU to end Russian oil imports by 2026, citing geopolitical risks

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland has urged European Union members states who are still buying Russian energy to end those imports by the end of 2026 and will offer them help towards that effort, Energy Minister Milosz Motyka said on Wednesday.

The Druzhba oil pipeline delivers Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to buy energy supplies from Russia after other EU nations cut ties following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"I appeal to you to agree on a common goal of completely phasing out imports of Russian crude oil by the end of 2026," Motyka wrote to EU nations' energy ministers.

"Such a decision would strengthen the coherence of our actions, set a clear time horizon, and demonstrate our determination to become independent from oil supplies posing political and strategic risks."

Motyka said this was relevant in light of recent events, such as a Russian drone incursion on Poland's territory last week.

The European Commission will propose speeding phasing out of Russian fossil imports, the EU executive head Ursula von der Leyen said after a call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The bloc had previously intended to end purchases of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028.

(Reporting by Marek Strzelecki; writing by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk)