EU Adopts 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia, Grants Greece LNG Export Exemption

After protracted and arduous negotiations, European Union ambassadors have finally agreed upon the 21st package of sanctions against Russia. The process proved particularly challenging due to objections raised by Greece, which had threatened to veto the measures. Athens insisted on a derogation that would allow it to continue exporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries outside the EU.

The Greek demand for an exemption significantly prolonged discussions and sparked intense debate among the 27 member states. This development comes despite a previous agreement reached in October to ban all direct or indirect purchases, imports, or transfers of Russian LNG starting in January 2027. Greece's surprising reversal on this stance created a major hurdle for the bloc's unified approach to sanctions.

Ultimately, Greece largely achieved its objective, securing a partial exemption. However, this concession comes at a cost. The approval of such a significant waiver is likely to embolden other member states to seek similar exceptions for their own economic interests. This trend risks fragmenting the EU's sanctions regime and diminishing their overall effectiveness against Moscow. The repeated granting of derogations could undermine the bloc's leverage and strategic goals in its response to Russia's actions.