Oil prices increased on Monday ahead of an EU meeting to discuss further sanctions on Russia including a ban on its crude.
International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $116.21 per barrel at 0652 GMT for a 0.56% increase after closing the previous session at $115.56 a barrel.
American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $115.84 per barrel at the same time for a 0.67% gain after the previous session closed at $115.07 a barrel.
The EU will hold meetings for two days, starting on Monday, to discuss a sixth package of sanctions against Russia which include an embargo on Russian crude oil exports.
If the sixth package is accepted, crude oil supply from Russia will be phased out in 6 months and the supply of refined products until the end of the year.
Additionally, depreciation in US dollar against other currencies also makes oil more suitable for buyers using other currencies. This situation supports the increase in purchases and causes prices to rise.
Meanwhile, news that Iran seized approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil from two oil tankers belonging to Greece that it intervened in the Persian Gulf on Friday also support the upward movement in prices.
By Zeynep Beyza Kilic
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr