The EU will allow Greece to re-export Russian LNG under existing contracts
The European Union will allow Greece to continue re-exporting Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries under contracts concluded before February 24, 2022. This limited exemption was proposed to ensure Greece’s support for the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against the Russian Federation—the aggressor state.
“Ukrainska Pravda” reported on the agreement, citing EU diplomats in Brussels. According to a source speaking to “European Pravda,” the exemption will apply to the transport of Russian LNG to third countries under specific existing contracts.
Purchases related to such transportation will also be permitted. The EU Council will review the exemption annually.
On July 23, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU (Coreper) reached an agreement on the 21st sanctions package and decided to conduct a written procedure for its approval. Previously, the adoption of the package had been delayed due to Greece’s demand to retain the ability to re-export Russian LNG. Bulgaria, and later Italy, also threatened to block the package, demanding that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church be removed from the sanctions lists. After his removal, these objections were withdrawn.
