European Union (EU) leaders on Monday agreed to ban more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports in a compromise deal that accommodated Hungary’s objection to a total ban.

The ban, part of a sixth package of sanctions on Russia by the EU, was passed during a meeting of leaders at Brussels.

Also read | Putin has ‘three years to live’, may go blind from cancer, says Russian spy

Although a total ban on Russian oil imports had been proposed by the European Commission (EC) – the body that develops laws for EU member states – a month ago, it had been on hold due to opposition by a number of member states, including Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, among others, that are dependent on Russian energy.

Also read | As West cuts oil ties with Russia, Putin looks elsewhere

Given the opposition to a total ban, many, including EC President Ursula von der Leyen, had low expectations about a compromise being reached, but Monday’s watered down embargo on Russian oil suggests a renewed unity among EU member states, where the cost of living has increased substantially since February due to soaring energy prices.

Commenting on Monday’s decision, European Council chief Charles Michel said that the embargo would cover “more than 2/3 of oil imports from Russia, cutting a huge source of financing for its war machine.”

Also read | Only the West hates Putin? Survey shows Russia not global pariah

Michel added that the new measures were part of an effort to put “[m]aximum pressure on Russia to end the war.”

The move to partially ban Russian oil, which accounts for 25% of the EU’s energy needs, was also hailed by von der Leyen as a first step towards cutting “90% of oil imports from Russia to the EU by the end of the year.”