Greece Blocks New EU Sanctions Package Over Russian Gas Ban Concerns
Greece is blocking the 21st EU sanctions package against Russia, fearing that banning Russian gas supplies to third countries could lead to loss of market share to non-EU competitors.
Greece has blocked the approval of the new, 21st EU sanctions package against Russia, according to sources from Reuters. The Greek government believes that banning Russian gas supplies to third countries could result in losing market share to competitors outside the EU.
An unnamed official in the Greek government stated that any new sanctions package must be carefully balanced to maximize pressure on Moscow while minimizing unintended consequences for European businesses, consumers, and competitiveness. "Europe must not, as a result of its own sanctions policy, lose entire sectors of economic activity or market share to non-EU players. Sanctions should undermine Russia's economic potential, not create strategic advantages for others at Europe's expense," the official said.
Discussions Continue
The EU’s Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) failed to adopt the 21st sanctions package on July 15 but decided to freeze the price cap on Russian oil until July 23. A group of countries, including Greece and Austria, expressed objections to the package for various reasons.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said on Monday that EU member states cannot reach consensus on tightening restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas.
Earlier, Bulgaria threatened to block the 21st sanctions package, demanding the removal of Patriarch Kirill from the lists; Italy later joined. After Kirill was removed from the sanctions list, these demands were withdrawn.
