Greece, whose economy is heavily dependent on shipping, has initiated the easing of sanctions.
Following the dispute over the sixth package of sanctions, which took place the day before, on May 8, the next day the European Union decided to ease its package of sanctions on Russian oil exports. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing draft documents that were obtained, as well as information from its own sources.
According to Bloomberg, the bloc intends to cancel the previously proposed a ban on EU-owned vessels transporting Russian oil to third countries.
The lack of a common position among the G7 countries has been crucial to sanctions for tankers were rejected.
“The EU has abandoned a plan to stop tankers moving Russian oil. The European Union intends to ease its package of sanctions on Russian oil exports following disputes over the weekend,” the agency said.
The initiator of easing this provision of sanctions was Greece, whose economy is largely dependent on shipping. The Greeks own more than a quarter of the world's oil tankers.
Deviation from the sixth package of sanctions on tankers will significantly ease export conditions for Moscow, a vital source of hard currency for the aggressor country.
Although in general The EU seeks to maintain a key shipping provision that will prevent Moscow from exporting its oil. In particular, the critical ban on insurance remains in force, which is a significant obstacle to exports from Russia.
It will be recalled that on Sunday, May 8, a meeting of 27 ambassadors EU to discuss the sixth package of sanctions . The meeting ended in failure, and talks are expected to resume in the coming days.
In particular, Hungary continues to block the European Union's attempts to impose an embargo on Russian oil imports, delaying the entire package of sanctions sixth package against Russia over the war in Ukraine. Slovakia and the Czech Republic also disagree with the terms of the oil embargo.
In addition, according to the Western press, Greece and Hungary opposed the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill in the list of sanctions. Greece and Cyprus are also against a ban on the transportation of Russian oil by European tankers.
According to the EU plan proposed to member states < span> last week, European companies and individuals are expected to be banned from providing tankers and related services, such as insurance needed to transport oil to third countries. These measures are planned to be implemented within three months.
The EU also proposes:
- disable three more Russian banks from the international payment system SWIFT, including Russia's largest creditor – Sberbank;
- ban Russian entities and individuals from buying real estate in the EU;
- ban the provision of consulting services to Russian companies and trade in a number of chemicals;
- impose sanctions on Alina Kabayeva, a former Olympic gymnastics champion who is “closely linked” to Vladimir Putin;
- impose sanctions on Patriarch Kirill, who heads The Russian Orthodox Church is an active supporter of the Russian president and the war in Ukraine.
Dozens of servicemen, including those responsible for war crimes in Bucha, as well as equipment companies, supplies and services to the Russian armed forces.
