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Finland's Gasum to end Russian LNG imports in line with EU sanctions

Finland's Gasum, a crucial gas provider to the Nordic area, will stop buying and importing Russian melted gas ( LNG) in July in line with fresh European Union sanctions, the company stated on Tuesday.

Gasum complies with all sanctions enforced by the EU and will not acquire or import Russian LNG since 26 July, it stated in a declaration.

EU member countries on Monday embraced a 14th package of sanctions on Russia that struck the nation's gas exports for the very first time.

This includes a stipulation restricting the purchase or importation of Russian LNG through European Union terminals that are not connected to the EU gas network, included at the request of Sweden and Finland and enabling them to cancel some LNG agreements.

While other LNG sanctions under the EU's latest package do not work up until next year, the stipulation using to Finland and Sweden works from July 26.

The sanctions embraced by the EU do not enable Gasum to end its agreement with Gazprom Export, but constitute a. force majeure on the purchase or import of Russian LNG to. off-grid terminals, Gasum stated.

The company has a long-term LNG supply agreement with Gazprom. Export which was concluded before 2022 on a so-called. take-or-pay arrangement, obliging it spend for contracted gas. despite whether it uses it or not.

Without sanctions, Gasum had been doing not have legal grounds to. stop its purchases.

Currently now most of the LNG sourced by Gasum has. been originating from sources besides Russia and we will replace. the Russian volumes with supply from other sources, a. representative for Gasum said.

All of the terminals run by Gasum in Sweden and. Finland fell under the latest sanctions, the spokesperson included.

Gasum purchases LNG from the Kryogaz-Vysotsk plant controlled by. Russian company Novatek.

Gazprom and Novatek did not respond to requests for. immediate comment.

(source: Reuters)