Romania will fully comply with the international sanctions imposed on Lukoil and will not request an extension beyond the 21 November deadline set by U.S. authorities. Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said that the Government is working intensively on a legal mechanism that will ensure both adherence to the sanctions regime and the continued operation of the Petrotel Ploiesti refinery.
According to the Minister, the forthcoming legislation is designed to allow Romania to meet its international obligations while safeguarding the country’s energy stability. The measures will ensure that refining and fuel distribution at the Petrotel Ploiesti facility can continue safely, preventing any disruption to the national fuel supply.
Minister Ivan stressed that Romania’s position is firm and aligned with its international partners. He emphasized that the Government will not seek a U.S. deadline extension and will instead push for uniform enforcement of American-led sanctions across the European Union. He added that Romania must take direct control of the refinery to ensure compliance, protect jobs and maintain the stability of the national energy system.
The U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft have put several European countries under pressure as they attempt to keep their refining operations running before the restrictions take effect. Romania and Bulgaria—where Lukoil operates major refining assets—are now working urgently to avoid fuel supply disruptions once the measures are enforced later this month.
Other European nations have opted for temporary exemptions. Germany has secured a six-month waiver for Rosneft’s Schwedt refinery, which has been under state administration since 2022. Hungary has also obtained relief, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán negotiating exemptions for pipeline-delivered oil that supplies Hungary and Slovakia.
