Greece blocked the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia due… (санкция · пакет · греция)
Greece blocked the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia due to concerns that restrictions on transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) would severely harm Dynagas, a Greek shipping company owned by billionaire Georgios Prokopiu. The company operates specialized Arc7 ice-class tankers used for Arctic LNG transport near the Yamal LNG plant.
Consensus
- Greece opposed the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
- The opposition was due to concerns about the impact on Dynagas, a Greek shipping company.
- Dynagas operates specialized Arc7 ice-class tankers used for transporting Russian LNG from the Yamal LNG plant in the Arctic.
- These tankers are not usable outside Arctic conditions and would have to be sold if sanctions were implemented.
- The proposed sanctions included a ban on transporting Russian LNG to third countries.
- The EU failed to reach consensus on the 21st package, leading to its postponement.
- The deadline for agreement was set for 23 July.
Points of divergence
- The Greek ambassador stated that sanctions would 'destroy' Dynagas and cited the company as the reason Athens could not support the sanctions. — vedomosti
- Dynagas has 27 tankers, one-third of which are Arc7-class vessels worth around $300 million each. — kommersant
- The Greek ambassador warned that the sanctions would prevent Dynagas from using its ships in other regions and force it to sell them to non-Western companies. — vm
- If no agreement is reached, diplomats will attempt to negotiate until 22 July before going on vacation until September. — vesti
- The EU agreed to maintain the oil price cap at $44.10 until 23 July while seeking broader sanctions agreement. — interfax
Coverage (6 sources)
- Greece Opposes New Anti-Russian Sanctions to Protect Magnate Prokopiev — Ведомости
- FT: Greece blocked EU's 21st sanctions package due to business threat — Коммерсантъ
- FT: Greece blocks 21st package of sanctions against Russia over business threat — Вечерняя Москва
- Greece shielded its oligarch's business and blocked EU sanctions against Russia — Вести
- Athens blocked the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia due to business threats — Интерфакс
- FT: Greece blocks 21st package of sanctions against Russia due to business threat — Москва 24