The European Union would ban trans-shipment of Russian LNG, the use of EU ports by vessels transporting goods contributing to Russia’s war effort and make EU operators more accountable for any sanctions violations, according to a text under discussion, reports Reuters.
The text, seen by the agency on May 6th, covers proposals that would constitute the 14th package of sanctions against Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022.
Proposals presented to EU envoys on Friday May 3rd would see a limitation imposed on Russian revenues from liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales by prohibiting the use of EU facilities to trans-ship Russian LNG to third countries.
The proposals also include a ban on the use of EU ports and locks for vessels that contribute to Russia’s war effort. That somewhat broad-brush definition might be interpreted to include the transport of goods seen as generating “significant revenue” for Russia, any goods or technology used in the defence and security sectors, or any shipment of fuels that currently sit outside the price cap system.
EU operators would also be held accountable if any non-EU entities they owned or controlled breached the sanctions rules.
For sensitive goods that are used on the battlefield or are critical to Russia’s military, operators would have to have due diligence systems to identify and mitigate risks of exports to Russia, according to the proposal text.
The proposals would include adding Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestija and Rossiiskaja Gazeta to the sanctioned media list.
The EU would seek to tighten up bans on flights and road transport of goods for aircraft or trucks owned or controlled by Russians and on the transport of goods. The EU would also place a transaction ban on those using Russia’s financial messaging systems outside Russia.
