MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. The European Commission can allow Hungary and Slovakia not to introduce a ban on Russian oil import as part of the next package of sanctions against Russia, Reuters news agency said on Monday, citing two representatives of the European Union.

To keep the unity in the EU, the European Commission can either authorize Hungary and Slovakia not to join the oil embargo in respect of Russia or offer a lengthy transitional period to these countries to abandon Russian oil, one of the sources said.

The ban on Russian oil supplies is highly likely to be phased and come into force since the start of the next year, Reuters’ sources said.