Nikita Shenderovsky12:00, 06/20/24

For the first time, restrictions will affect the supply of liquefied natural gas.

The ambassadors of the member states of the European Union agreed on the 14th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU reports on the social network X.

“EU ambassadors have just agreed on a powerful and significant 14th sanctions package in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. This package includes new targeted measures and maximizes the impact of existing sanctions by closing loopholes,” the statement said.

According to Politico , the sanctions will apply to the Russian gas industry. The restrictions will not affect Russian exports of liquefied natural gas to the EU. But they will prohibit EU ports from reselling Russian gas after it arrives and will block financing of gas terminals planned in Russia in the Arctic and Baltics.

The EU will hit Russia with unprecedented sanctions against its lucrative gas sector, according to Belgium’s EU presidency – a once-unthinkable move that could siphon hundreds of millions from Moscow’s war chest. It’s a remarkable moment for the EU. Since the full-scale invasion, the bloc left Russian gas without sanctions,” the Politico text says.

The publication also notes that the main opponents of these sanctions were Hungary and Germany. In particular, Budapest has been threatening for weeks to veto the EU decision as the country opposes most of the additional energy sanctions against Russia. But Berlin did not oppose restrictions for Russia, but was concerned about “new obligations for EU exporters.”

Sanctions against Russia

The day before, Reuters reported that the new package of EU sanctions against Russia was stuck because of Germany. It was then noted that Berlin remained a blocking force, despite the withdrawal of a clause that Germany considered problematic.

Scholz himself stated that Germany is not the “new Hungary” and denied accusations of blocking a new package of EU sanctions against Russia. He also noted that the package “is not blocked” and that the countries are “discussing the details.”

(C)UNIAN 2024