Greece blocks EU sanctions on Russian gas transport to protect the… (пакет · санкция · греция)
Greece blocks EU sanctions on Russian gas transport to protect the business of a Greek billionaire. Greece has opposed a new package of European Union sanctions that would ban the transport of Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries, according to Financial Times citing sources.
Consensus
- The 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia is facing delays due to opposition from Greece.
- Greece opposes a proposed ban in the 21st sanctions package on transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) between third countries.
- The European Commission has not withdrawn its proposal for a full ban on transport of Russian LNG under the 21st sanctions package.
- Sanctions packages within the EU require unanimous approval from all member states.
- Dynagas, a Greek shipping company specializing in transporting Russian LNG from the 'Yamal LNG' project, is central to Greece's objections.
- The ships operated by Dynagas are ice-class vessels designed for Arctic operations and are not easily repurposed for other routes.
Points of divergence
- The European Commission stated it will not abandon its proposal, emphasizing that discussions with member states continue and the package is still under consideration. — interfax
- Six EU countries—Germany, Austria, Italy, Portugal, France, and Greece—are demanding exemptions or modifications to the 21st sanctions package; Germany and Portugal seek relief on Russian fish imports, while France and Italy want visa policy changes. — vesti
- Greece has blocked the 21st sanctions package outright due to the proposed LNG transport ban. — tg_tass_agency
- The European Commission may adjust the sanctions package in response to Greece’s concerns, possibly removing provisions related to Austria's Raiffeisen bank and adding a mechanism for lowering the price cap on Russian oil. — vedomosti
- Greece is protecting Dynagas due to its ownership by billionaire Georgios Prokopiou, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $4.7 billion. — novaya_eu
- Dynagas has transported over 10 million tons of Russian LNG since early 2025 via 11 ships and completed 144 voyages. — meduza
- Dynacom, another company owned by Prokopiou, earned at least $915 million over the past three years from transporting Russian oil. — tg_tvrain
Coverage (11 sources)
- Bloomberg: EU may abandon the 21st package of sanctions against Russia — Ведомости
- EC insists on banning LNG transport from Russia as part of the 21st sanctions package — Интерфакс
- Six European Countries Call for Easing of Anti-Russian Sanctions — Вести
- Greece blocked the 21st package of sanctions against Russia after the European Commission proposed including a ban on transport... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- EU may adjust sanctions against Russia in coordination with Greece — Ведомости
- EC may amend provisions of the 21st sanctions package due to Greece — Вести
- Greece blocked the 21st package of sanctions against Russia after the European Commission proposed including a ban on transport... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- FT: Greece blocks new EU sanctions package due to threat to billionaire Georgy Prokopiu's business — Новая газета Европа
- Greece blocks EU's 21st sanctions package due to threat to billionaire Georgy Prokopiev's business — Meduza
- FT: Greece Delays EU Sanctions on Russian Gas Transport to Protect Billionaire's Business — Дождь (Telegram)
- Sanctions against Russia have stalled due to Greece's position — Фонтанка