Group 1 - The EU's import ban on Russian refined oil products will officially take effect on January 21, significantly impacting the Southeast European refining market due to supply chain disruptions [1] - The ban, part of the EU Regulation 833/2014, prohibits member states from purchasing, importing, or transiting Russian refined oil products, with limited exemptions for specific cooperating countries [1] - The ban targets oil products under customs code 2710, which are derived from Russian crude oil classified under customs code 2709, marking a significant escalation in energy sanctions against Russia [1] Group 2 - A Northwest European dealer indicated that the ban will have "no substantial impact" on their market, as many suppliers have already avoided products related to Russian crude oil refining [2] - In contrast, Southeast Europe is expected to face greater challenges due to its historical reliance on the Turkey-Romania corridor for Russian refined products [2] - The EU customs will implement stricter verification standards for the origin of crude oil used in refining, although the list of countries eligible for exemptions is still under review by the European Commission [2]