As reported, increasing opposition to new sanctions against Russia has emerged among several EU member states, including Greece, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Portugal. These countries are either demanding exceptions to the latest sanctions package or are outright blocking it.
The EU requires unanimous support to implement sanctions, and last week’s discussions in Brussels lasted four days but failed to yield an agreement due to vetoes.
The proposed sanctions target Russian exports and financial systems, including a mechanism aimed at artificially maintaining low prices for Russian crude oil exports, a system now threatened by various national vetoes.
Greece has stated it will not support the sanctions unless it is allowed to continue transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries.
Portugal and Germany are also seeking to lift the ban on purchasing Russian fish, citing the need to support their local fish processing industries.
France and Italy aim to ease the restriction on issuing EU visas to Russian military personnel involved in the war, while Austria has reiterated its demand to unfreeze €2 billion in Russian assets to compensate for losses incurred by Raiffeisen Bank.
Five diplomats informed that the demands from certain countries have raised concerns within the bloc, suggesting that Europe is losing its willingness to bear the consequences of sanctions.
The refusal by countries to approve the latest proposals has reached an unprecedented level, according to diplomats.
Context
- The new sanctions package was presented on June 9 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on energy, financial services, cryptocurrency, trade, and visas for Russians. Von der Leyen also highlighted that for the first time, the Commission aims to prohibit entry into EU countries for anyone serving in the Russian armed forces since the war in Ukraine began.
- On July 6, “European Truth” reported that the approval of the 21st sanctions package against Russia might be postponed until the autumn if member states do not reach a compromise soon.
- On the evening of July 15, media reported that EU member states’ representatives again failed to agree on the 21st sanctions package against Russia.
