Media sources have revealed that the German government is obstructing the approval of a new European sanctions package against Russia aimed at strengthening control over operations that bypass restrictive measures, which also pertains to the export of Russian natural gas. According to the German news agency, citing diplomatic sources in Brussels, the crucial reason for the lack of agreement on the sanctions package lies in “doubts and a desire to make amendments” from Berlin.
The agency quoted its sources as saying that recently, there is a feeling that Germany has become “the new Hungary” in terms of preventing consensus on imposing sanctions against Russia.
According to the agency, the main goal of the new sanctions involves two aspects: firstly, combating circumvention of previously adopted restrictive measures, particularly preventing the Russian defense industry from acquiring Western technologies, and secondly, it relates to the export of Russian liquefied natural gas, where the European Union wants to ban the use of European ports by vessels carrying Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries.
The European Union recently approved its 13th package of sanctions against Russia, marking a significant escalation in the EU’s response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This latest round of sanctions, introduced in February 2024, aims to tighten restrictions on Russia’s access to sensitive technologies and increase the number of individuals and entities targeted.
This package is notable for extending export restrictions to companies in third countries identified as “circumvention hubs,” which have been helping Russia bypass earlier sanctions.
The sanctions now include additional measures against Russia’s military and defense sectors, specifically targeting companies involved in the production and supply of military technologies such as drones. The package also broadens the scope of restrictions on the export of dual-use goods and technologies to Russian companies, particularly those involved in drone production and other military applications.
Moreover, the EU has also targeted individuals and entities involved in violating children’s rights through actions like the forced transfer and military indoctrination of Ukrainian children. This reflects the EU’s commitment to addressing broader human rights abuses associated with the conflict.
