New sanctions will not be needed: the EU figured out how to block Russian gas imports
The EU decided to prohibit Russian exporters from reserving in advance the capacities necessary for deliveries.
Against the background of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union intends to give member states the opportunity to effectively ban Russian supplies of liquefied natural gas without imposing new energy sanctions.
The bloc’s energy ministers are poised to approve a proposal that would give member governments the ability to prevent Russian exporters from pre-booking the capacity needed for supplies, Bloomberg reports.
The move is part of the EU’s move to phase out Russian gas following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the story said.
The proposed regulation needs the approval of the European Parliament, which has proposed its own solutions to reduce Russian gas imports. The push for new import blocking powers for member states is being led by Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.
War in Ukraine and the gas situation
On September 28, 2022, the EU countries demanded to immediately limit the price of gas.
As of December 1, 2022, Gazprom has almost halved gas exports to EU countries.
In January 2023, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine fell to a historic low.
As of March 25, 2023, Gazprom has reduced gas transit through Ukraine. Pumping has decreased by about 15%.