The European Union faces significant delays in adopting its 21st…
The European Union faces significant delays in adopting its 21st package of sanctions against Russia due to Greece's opposition, primarily over proposed restrictions on the transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by EU vessels. Greece argues that such a ban would severely harm its shipping industry, particularly affecting Dynagas, a major Greek company owned by billionaire Georgios Prokopiou, which operates specialized Arctic LNG carriers for Russia’s Yamal LNG project.
Consensus
- The European Union is struggling to adopt the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
- Greece opposes the proposed ban on transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (SPG) in third countries.
- The dispute centers on economic interests tied to Greek shipping companies, particularly Dynagas.
- A full consensus among EU member states is required for the adoption of the sanction package.
- The issue has delayed the approval process by at least one week.
Points of divergence
- Greece's stance includes not only economic but also military and cultural dimensions, such as allowing Russian warships to dock in Greek ports and maintaining fan ties between PAOK and CSKA Moscow. — riamo
- The EU is considering abandoning the entire 21st package or delaying it by 24 months; some sources suggest a possible full withdrawal from the sanctions effort. — vedomosti
- The European Commission insists on maintaining its original proposal for a complete ban on SPG transportation and refuses to abandon it, despite ongoing discussions with member states. — interfax
- Dynagas has transported over 10 million tons of Russian LNG since early 2025 across 144 voyages using 11 ships specifically designed for Arctic conditions near the Yamal LNG plant. — novaya_eu
- The Greek ambassador directly told EU colleagues that the SPG transport ban would 'effectively destroy' Dynagas. — meduza
Coverage (15 sources)
- Gas, ships and fans: the background of Greece's special relationship with Russia revealed — РИАМО
- 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
- EU may alter new sanctions package against Russia over Greece — Москва 24
- 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
- Raiffeisen Bank Clarifies Data on Inclusion in the 21st Sanctions Package — Коммерсантъ
- Euroactiv learns that the EU has excluded Russia from the 21st sanctions package — Коммерсантъ
Key entities
- Greece
- Russia
- EC
- EU
- European Union
- Georgy Prokopiev
- Financial Times
- Athens
- Politico
- European Commission
- Moscow
- Bloomberg
- FT
- Dynagas
- Paula Pinyu