Will Europe's ban on Russian diesel hike global fuel prices?
The Diesel price for trucks is displayed at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Diesel and other fuel is delivered to a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Diesel and other fuel is delivered to a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Tires of a truck are pictured at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
A truck transports cars on a highway in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Cars and trucks drive on a highway in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
A fuel trucks drives on a highway in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
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Russian Diesel Embargo Explainer
The Diesel price for trucks is displayed at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. A European ban on imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries takes effect Feb. 5. The goal is to stop feeding Russia's war chest, but it's not so simple. Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAVID McHUGH
Mon, January 30, 2023 at 2:46 AM EST
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Europe is taking another big step toward cutting its energy ties with Russia, banning imports of diesel fuel and other products made from crude oil in Russian refineries.
The European Union ban takes effect Feb. 5 following its embargo on coal and most oil from Russia. The 27-nation bloc is trying to sever its last uses of Russian energy and stop feeding the Kremlin's war chest as the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine nears.
The newest ban has risks: Diesel prices have already jumped since the war started on Feb. 24, and they could rise again for the fuel that is key to the global economy.
“We’re leaving money in the road to provide our services,” said Hans-Dieter Sedelmeier of the family-run German bus and travel company Rast Reisen.
Most things people buy or eat are transported at some point by trucks, which mostly run on diesel. It also powers farm equipment, city buses and industrial equipment. The higher cost of diesel is built into the price of almost everything, helping push up inflation that has made life harder for people worldwide.
