New sanctions package against Russia does not include ban on Russian LNG imports, Politico reports

Brussels, 29 January (ČTK correspondent) – The sixteenth sanctions package against Russia does not include a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Europe, the Brussels-based Politico website reported, citing its diplomatic sources. The European Commission will present the new restrictions targeting Russia over its invasion of Ukraine to EU member state representatives in Brussels today. According to diplomats, the sanctions will once again target vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet, as well as restrictions on Moscow’s aluminium exports.

Ten EU member states, including the Czech Republic, recently called on the European Union to impose a complete ban on imports of Russian gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG). The sixteenth package is expected to be approved at the end of February, on the occasion of the third anniversary of the start of Russia’s invasion. Poland, a strong ally of Kyiv, currently holds the EU presidency. It was therefore expected that the new package of EU sanctions could be very tough on Moscow and deal a significant blow to Russia.

According to ČTK, the European Commission sent a draft of the new package to individual member states on Tuesday so they could analyse it. Today, it will also present it to EU ambassadors in Brussels at a meeting of the so-called Coreper. According to Politico’s diplomatic sources, earlier speculation has been confirmed: restrictions on imports of Russian LNG into Europe are ultimately not included in the sixteenth package.

The sanctions are expected to target 74 additional vessels from the so-called shadow fleet of foreign ships that transport Russian oil products. Moscow’s aluminium exports are also set to be restricted. The European Union still relies on Russia for around six percent of its aluminium imports. Finally, the package will target video game equipment, such as Microsoft’s Xbox, which the EU says Russia uses to pilot drones.

According to Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, Prague pushed for the new sanctions package to include support for a Czech proposal to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the Schengen area. It was not yet clear whether this would ultimately succeed. The Czech proposal was also supported by Poland, which currently holds the EU presidency.

The fourteenth sanctions package, approved last June, included a ban on the transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, the European Commission did not impose a complete ban on Russian LNG, partly because EU countries such as Belgium, France and Spain still buy it in large quantities. The fifteenth sanctions package was approved last December and focused in particular on the so-called Russian shadow fleet.