EU to Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Say MEPs
Washington has allegedly urged Brussels to maintain economic sanctions against Moscow. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The US has pressured Brussels to maintain the restrictions, according to two members of the European Parliament speaking with Izvestiya newspaper on Tuesday.
European Union restrictions on Russia are unlikely to be lifted in the near future, even if the Ukraine conflict eventually ends. French MEP Thierry Mariani expressed skepticism about the possibility of easing sanctions, stating, “It would be logical to lift them, but I am not sure that this will happen. It is likely that the US will ask to keep the sanctions in place to make sure that... economic relations with Russia do not resume immediately.”
The US energy sector has significantly benefited from the EU's sanctions against Russia, which used to be a major energy supplier for the bloc. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Brussels has turned away from Russian natural gas, opting instead for more expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG). According to data from the European Council, the US became the largest LNG supplier to the EU last year, accounting for nearly 50% of total LNG imports and tripling supply volumes since 2021.
Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser noted, “The end of the military operation in Ukraine will undoubtedly push some economic players in the West to demand that the sanctions, especially in the energy sector, be lifted.” However, he cautioned that “influential circles” in the West, including American shale gas producers, would likely push to maintain these restrictions for their own benefit.
As EU law expert and former MEP Gunnar Beck pointed out, “So far, no senior EU official has given any indication that sanctions could be lifted if the Ukraine conflict ends... Even if Russian negotiators succeed in convincing the EU to lift the restrictions, it will not happen immediately, and it would take years for trade relations to get back to normal.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was re-elected in July for another five-year term, has strongly supported increased pressure on Russia.
Recently, PMG reported that Brussels is preparing its 15th sanctions package, primarily targeting Russian LNG exports still sold to the EU. The bloc’s members plan to resume discussions on new restrictions in January, as indicated in the report.
Polish media has previously reported that during Hungary's presidency of the EU this year, no new measures will be introduced against Russia. Officials in Brussels are said to be waiting for Warsaw to take over the Council's leadership on January 1 before implementing any new restrictive measures.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
European Union restrictions on Russia are unlikely to be lifted in the near future, even if the Ukraine conflict eventually ends. French MEP Thierry Mariani expressed skepticism about the possibility of easing sanctions, stating, “It would be logical to lift them, but I am not sure that this will happen. It is likely that the US will ask to keep the sanctions in place to make sure that... economic relations with Russia do not resume immediately.”
The US energy sector has significantly benefited from the EU's sanctions against Russia, which used to be a major energy supplier for the bloc. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Brussels has turned away from Russian natural gas, opting instead for more expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG). According to data from the European Council, the US became the largest LNG supplier to the EU last year, accounting for nearly 50% of total LNG imports and tripling supply volumes since 2021.
Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser noted, “The end of the military operation in Ukraine will undoubtedly push some economic players in the West to demand that the sanctions, especially in the energy sector, be lifted.” However, he cautioned that “influential circles” in the West, including American shale gas producers, would likely push to maintain these restrictions for their own benefit.
As EU law expert and former MEP Gunnar Beck pointed out, “So far, no senior EU official has given any indication that sanctions could be lifted if the Ukraine conflict ends... Even if Russian negotiators succeed in convincing the EU to lift the restrictions, it will not happen immediately, and it would take years for trade relations to get back to normal.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was re-elected in July for another five-year term, has strongly supported increased pressure on Russia.
Recently, PMG reported that Brussels is preparing its 15th sanctions package, primarily targeting Russian LNG exports still sold to the EU. The bloc’s members plan to resume discussions on new restrictions in January, as indicated in the report.
Polish media has previously reported that during Hungary's presidency of the EU this year, no new measures will be introduced against Russia. Officials in Brussels are said to be waiting for Warsaw to take over the Council's leadership on January 1 before implementing any new restrictive measures.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
