New EU sanctions package against Russia to be approved
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The European Union has agreed to impose a new set of sanctions against Russia, marking the first time it will target supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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Russian President Vladimir Putin visits an exhibition of IT and creative industry at the Labour Quarter creative cluster in Yakutsk, republic of Sakha also known as Yakutia, Russia Far East, Russia, on June 18, 2024. (AP)
The European Union's new 14th sanctions package against Russia will be formally approved at a meeting of the Council of the European Union on Foreign Affairs scheduled for June 24, according to an EU source speaking to RIA Novosti on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU announced that ambassadors of EU countries had reached a consensus on the 14th sanctions package against Russia.
The source added that the Council will formally approve the sanctions package, which will then be published in the official journal of the EU on the same day it enters into force.
"This package provides new targeted measures and maximizes the impact of existing sanctions by closing loopholes," the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU said on social media.
LNG gas targeted in new package
The European Union agreed to impose a new set of sanctions against Russia, specifically targeting supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG). This comes as several member states continue to purchase LNG from Russia, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The new restrictions will also focus on tankers transporting Russian oil and will expand the EU blacklist to include over 40 individuals and organizations.
Read next: EU pleads Russia not sanction them after sanctioning it for years
Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot stated that the sanctions aimed to prevent Russia's "shadow fleet" from accessing European ports and services.
According to the Financial Times, the new package will prohibit Russian tankers from using EU ports to transfer cargo between larger and smaller tankers destined for third countries, among other measures, but does not include a ban on EU imports.
