The European Union (EU) is drafting a new package of sanctions against Russia as negotiations between Russia and Ukraine seem unlikely to break out, Politico reported.
We want peace and we have to put pressure, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared on May 16 while attending the European political community summit in Tirana, Albania.
Ms. Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU is considering more ambitious sanctions than the 17th round of sanctions adopted on May 14.
She proposed targeting the Nord Stream gas pipeline connecting Russia to Europe, the Russian banking sector and the "shadow fleet" of used ships with unclear owners and insurance used by Russia to evade oil sanctions.
The head of the EU's executive agency also said that the European Commission will consider lowering the ceiling for crude oil - the ceiling for selling Russian crude oil that has been decided at the G7 level. The current price cap is 60 USD/barrel.
An unnamed EU diplomat told Politico earlier this week that targeting sanctions on Russia's energy and banking sectors would have "real impact". However, the implementation will be difficult due to Hungary's objections.
When asked if the US would participate in a new series of sanctions against Russia, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen said she was "in close contact with Senator Lindsey Graham," the Republican, US Congresswoman. Graham has proposed a 500% tariff package against Russia. We are very unanimous in which areas need sanctions, she said.
According to Essanews, European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho stressed that the EU sanctions aim to extinguish all concern about the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
Although the gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany is not yet operational, the Nord Stream pipeline can still be repaired and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline may be licensed to operate.
The decision to sanction Nord Stream comes from a desire to prevent future actions related to the pipeline.
Explaining the reason for the sanctions, Pinho spokesperson emphasized that even if the system is not working, it is still necessary to punish because the future is still uncertain and the situation can change.
When the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022, Germany decided not to grant a license to operate the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
For its part, Russia has stopped supplying gas via Nord Stream since August 2022. A few weeks later, a series of explosions damaged both branches of the Nord Stream pipeline and one branch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
