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EU countries want assessments on potential Russian LNG sanctions

EU countries will take weeks to work out the next set of sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine, EU diplomats say, though they broadly support the measures including to restrict Russian LNG exports for the first time.

Nations consisting of Belgium, Germany and France have actually asked for European Commission for assessments on whether a restriction on LNG transshipments at European ports will hit the Russian economy more than the EU's, they said.

The countries and the European Commission decreased to comment.

There's broad assistance but generally concerns. This package is simply stitches - we've never done anything like this before, one diplomat stated, describing the LNG.

Diplomats say they are racing to straighten out the 14th package before Hungary takes control of the EU presidency in July. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains ties with Russia's. President Vladimir Putin, has previously tried to obstruct help to. Ukraine and constraints on Moscow.

Sanctions need unanimity in order to be embraced.

As the war drags on, the EU is lacking methods to cut. Russian revenues. Circumvention has been the focus given that last. year.

We were genuinely shocked at the strength of the Russian. economy but it has actually been injured ... Russia is developing into a kind. of war economy, the diplomat added.

The Kremlin stated last month Russia would search for methods to. conquer what it considers any prohibited sanctions the EU imposes. LNG operations, saying any procedures would backfire on European. market.

Diplomats are discussing whether EU business ought to be held. accountable for their distributors in third countries although. they are stressed the extra bureaucracy will harm companies after. previous procedures stipulated agreements need to include a ban on. re-exports to Russia.

Countries are debating a separate package to line up. pre-invasion sanctions on Belarus with the subsequent Russian. ones and close a major loophole that enabled lots of EU goods to. reach Russia through Belarus.

However, diplomats disagree over the so-called empty annex. that would permit Belarusian potash, a fertiliser, to be exported. by means of Europe needs to rates increase as they performed in 2022, injuring. third nations.

The annex would be used to allow momentary exports to a. particular nation, the sources said. Belarus, Canada and Russia. are the world's most significant potash producers.

(source: Reuters)