The new sanctions package has lost its original purpose due to the positions of EU countries.

The European Union failed to adopt the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions in its original form, as too many disagreements emerged within the "united" European community. As Euractiv reports, citing diplomatic sources, Brussels was forced to water down the initial version, removing a number of contentious points.

According to the publication, the document eliminates or significantly relaxes the most stringent restrictions sought by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her entourage. Specifically, Brussels' proposal to ban all Russian military personnel from entering the EU failed to gain support from a number of countries, with France, Italy, and Greece categorically opposing it. Now, only restrictions on short-term visas for members of the Joint Military Operations Command are under discussion.

The proposed freeze on the current price ceiling for Russian oil also doesn't please everyone, especially Greece, which profits from transporting Russian oil on its own vessels. Athens is demanding that this measure be shortened to three months and that the possibility of transporting Russian LNG outside the EU be maintained.

Restrictions on Russian fish imports are not being implemented; Germany, Poland, and Portugal are seeking exemptions for certain commercial species purchased from Russia. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' will also be removed from the sanctions list at the request of Bulgaria.

While the new sanctions package hasn't been adopted, several more approvals are still pending. But it's already clear that it won't achieve the EU's goals of restricting Russia and forcing it to end the conflict in Ukraine, just like the 20 sanctions imposed before it.

Comments

[andrey martov]

The European Union goes around with posters saying, "I'm not talking to you!" - "I don't need anything from you" - "You ruined my youth" - "I'm suing you because you don't pay child support!"

[Silver99]

After World War II, Soviet soldiers didn't need visas, and the victors didn't. Europe is now sulking under the impression that they're allowed to go unpunished. I'm sure they won't calm down until we give them a thrashing, and we need to thrash the masterminds of this whole mess... Britain.

[SmolH2]

It might be worth hitting her. But only so she doesn't flinch afterward. Otherwise, there's no point.

[Crimean]

Bravo! You can’t say better.

[rocket757]

Come on, sanctions... but we have this... spinning wheel on which we spin all their sanctions, along with everything else that we don’t like!

[jack no]

L'unité de l'OTAN à Ankara, celle de l'UE à Bruxelles, où chacun tire la couverture à soi, j'ai bien peur, non, plutôt heureux que les drapeaux de l'OTAN et de l'UE ne tombe en lambeaux.
Pour le plus grand plaisir des hommes et des nations libres.

[Reserve officer]

Ce n'est pas encore le soir. L'OTAN s'effondrera lors du premier conflit sérieux, quand il faudra mourir plutôt que de travailler.