Russian gas will not be subject to the new European Union sanctions package. Diplomatic sources tell Politico that the EU will not try to completely ban purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas in its latest sanctions package.
The European Commission will officially present its 16th package of sanctions against Russia in EU capitals on Wednesday, according to two diplomats, A2 writes.
The proposal will not include a blanket ban on LNG imports, as EU politicians have called for. Instead, the European Commission will propose a ban on the flow of Russian LNG to terminals that are not part of the EU gas system.
The sanctions package will propose penalties for more aging oil-exporting tankers operating as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, diplomats added. The EU will target 74 new vessels, two other EU diplomats told Politico.
In addition, the new offer will push to limit Moscow's aluminum exports, according to three diplomats. The EU still relies on Russia for about 6 percent of its aluminum imports.
Not imposing sanctions on Russian LNG will disappoint the bloc’s Russia hawks. Last month, 10 EU countries – including Finland, Poland and the Baltics – urged the European Commission to “ban the import of Russian gas and LNG as soon as possible.”
“It’s unfortunate,” the Lithuanian Energy Minister told POLITICO. “To some extent, we are disappointed.” The EU has so far banned most Russian coal and oil imports — but has repeatedly failed to limit Moscow’s gas purchases, amid long-standing opposition from countries like Hungary. (A2 Televizion)
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