The European bloc is moving closer to banning Russian oil with Germany changing course to support the embargo. But many questions remain open.

As EU member states push for a Russian oil embargo, Germany's PCK Schwedt refinery is facing an uncertain future. It runs wholly on Russian imports, and many locals aren't so sure alternatives can be found in time.

As EU member states consider tightening restrictions on Russian energy imports, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is among those calling for closer European integration. He says the bloc needs “structural solutions” to deal with soaring energy prices. Meanwhile, Italy and the UK take different stances over “windfall taxes” for energy giants as they reap record profits, and India's heatwave pushes electricity consumption to a record high.

More European businesses in China are looking to shift their investments due to the country's strict coronavirus lockdowns, according to the European Chamber of Commerce.

The 27 EU member states are deliberating a gradual ban on Russian oil imports. Some countries, such as Hungary, Slovakia and Cyprus, are concerned about the repercussions of such a move on their economies.

A select group of citizens of the EU has gathered multiple times since last May to discuss what the bloc should look like in the years ahead. But implementing some of the ideas would mean overhauling how the EU works.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced support for rewriting the bloc's treaties during a conference on the EU's future that was dominated by the war in Ukraine.

Marcos Jr. is the son of ex-President Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country for decades under a brutal autocratic regime. Mending frayed EU-Philippine relations will be a challenge for the new leader.

The proposals would make it obligatory for companies operating in the EU to try to detect and report such cases, replacing a voluntary system that Brussels considers insufficient. Critics have raised privacy concerns.

As the British government indicates it is preparing to deviate from the Northern Ireland Protocol – a key part of the Brexit deal – the European Commissioner overseeing EU-UK relations tells FRANCE 24 he is "appealing to the UK government to come back to the negotiating table". Maros Sefcovic spoke to our Europe editor Catherine Nicholson.

Hungary's government is "holding European Union decision makers hostage" by refusing to join an EU-wide embargo on Russian oil, according to Lithuania's foreign minister. This comes as EU leaders continue their efforts to gather support for a sixth sanctions package on Russia from all 27 EU member states. The government of PM Viktor Orban has claimed that an import ban on Russian oil would ruin the Hungarian economy. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis tells FRANCE 24 that "Europe is weaker" as a result, and that he is "still hoping Budapest will be responsible in their decisions".

Rising energy and commodity prices resulting from Russia's war in Ukraine are slowing Europe's economic growth and increasing inflation.