The European Union (EU) is not banning purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) outright in its latest sanctions package, despite pressure to ban imports of the super-chilled fuel, two EU diplomats told Politico.
The draft sanctions were presented by the European Commission on January 29, but did not include a broad ban on LNG imports as desired by countries taking a hard line against Moscow.
Instead, the EU is limiting Russian LNG to receiving terminals that are not connected to the bloc's common gas system - a move that is more symbolic than substantive and does not affect the bulk of LNG imports.
In addition to LNG, the new sanctions package also expands measures targeting Russia’s “shadow” tanker fleet, with 74 vessels now included in the sanctions list. The EU will also impose restrictions on Russian aluminum exports, on which the EU still relies for about 6%.
Notably, the EU also included gaming devices such as Microsoft's Xbox in its sanctions list, due to suspicions that Russia is using them to control drones.
However, the failure to completely ban Russian LNG has disappointed countries with a tough stance towards Moscow such as Finland, Poland and the Baltic states.
“It is unfortunate. To some extent, we are disappointed,” said Lithuanian Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas. But Vaičiūnas insisted that Lithuania was hoping for an upcoming EU “roadmap” to end all energy ties with Russia. “We have not lost faith that the LNG ban will be introduced in the near future,” said Vaičiūnas.
Last month, 10 EU countries – including Finland, Poland and the Baltic states – called on the European Commission to “ban imports of Russian gas and LNG as soon as possible”.
Despite sanctions against Russia, the EU is importing more Russian LNG than ever. Latest data shows that Russian super-chilled gas entering the EU is set to increase by nearly 20% in 2023, with ports in Spain, Belgium and France being the main destinations. Germany also indirectly imports 9% of its LNG from Russia.
