Latest round of sanctions being discussed by European Commission
It's believed Germany would be ready to back an EU ban on Russian oil imports.
Officials from the bloc are discussing the latest round of sanctions - which could include a call to stop the import of energy by the end of the year.
Both the economy and finance ministers in Berlin say it could be a necessary response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The European Union is warning its members that giving in to Russia's demands to pay for gas in roubles, would breach existing sanctions.
Ministers met in Brussels yesterday to discuss Moscow's decision last week to cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland.
Energy giant Gazprom claims it was because they had failed to pay their bills in the right currency.
Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, says Ireland is far less exposed because we do not rely on Russian oil and gas, but we must step up and help our European neighbours in the way they supported Ireland through the Brexit negotiations:
