Ban on Russian pipeline gas excluded from 11th sanctions package

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 May 13:25

The pipelines supplies gas from Russia to Poland and Germany and is not yet entirely cut off.

A view shows gas wells at Bovanenkovo gas field owned by Gazprom on the Arctic Yamal peninsula, Russia, May 21, 2019 (Reuters)

Europe is "unlikely" to completely agree on a ban on Russian pipeline gas in its 11th package of sanctions on Moscow, Politico Europe reported on Tuesday.

"From what I hear, it is very unlikely this will pass," the report said, citing an EU diplomat. "There is too much resistance from the countries dependent on the remaining gas."

The new batch of sanctions is "almost done" and "inserting this huge measure at this moment is not going to work," the diplomat added.

The Financial Times said on Sunday that the European Union and G7 are planning to halt gas imports from Russian pipelines, routes through which Moscow has earlier reduced supplies but did not completely stop. The measure aims to prevent gas supplies from Russia to Germany and Poland.

In April, the news site also reported that Japan and the EU announced that they have rejected a US proposal as part of the statement being drafted for the upcoming G7 meeting, which entails banning all exports to Russia.

The statement, pertaining to the meeting in Hiroshima next month, includes a clause to remove the sanctions package against Russia and replace it with a complete export ban with only a few exceptions for agricultural, medical, and other selected products.

In response, the White House stated it would “continue to look for ways to hold Russia accountable" with Washington's National Security Advisor adding, “In coordination with our G7 partners, we have put in place the largest set of sanctions and export control actions ever imposed on a major economy... These actions have had a significant impact, undercutting Russia’s ability to fund and fight its unjust war.”