Politico has learned about Greece's blocking of a new package of EU anti-Russian sanctions

Greece has again blocked the approval of a new package of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia due to disagreements over the transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). This was reported by the Politico newspaper on July 22, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, the next round of negotiations ended on Wednesday evening without reaching an agreement. Athens has opposed a ban on European companies transporting Russian LNG to consumers outside the EU. The Greek authorities believe that this measure goes beyond the decisions previously agreed upon by the leaders of the unification countries. Greece also claims that the ban will not stop the transportation of Russian gas.

Earlier, the European authorities proposed to allow gas tankers from the EU to export Russian LNG to third countries until January 2029. The compromise also included a limitation of supply volumes and a ban on the conclusion of new contracts. The Greek side rejected this option and demanded an indefinite exclusion for its shipping industry, sources told Politico.

The Dynagas shipping company from Greece is one of the few operators of ice vessels capable of reaching the Russian LNG terminal in the Arctic Ocean, the newspaper said. The Greek merchant fleet has more than 5,000 vessels and transports about a fifth of the world's cargo by weight. The country also has the world's largest fleet of LNG tankers by capacity.

Excessive price: the 21st package may become the last major block of EU sanctions

Brussels will continue to put pressure on Russia, but will focus on expanding blacklists and combating circumvention of restrictions.

The day before, the Financial Times newspaper reported that the EU, as part of a new package of anti-Russian sanctions, may allow the transportation of Russian LNG to third countries for another year, while the period may be extended further. In this case, gas prices will be set at the level of 2025.

Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said on July 22 that a 50% increase in gas prices in Europe amid the energy crisis was due to the abandonment of Russian gas.