Document shows that ten EU countries have called for sanctions against Russian LNG and gas

A document obtained by revealed that ten European Union nations have asked the 27-nation group to ban the imports of gas from Russia. This comes as Europe is debating new sanctions against Moscow for its war in Ukraine.

The EU is currently preparing its 16th set of sanctions against Russia's economic system, in advance of the third anniversary Moscow's invasion of Ukraine on a large scale. This will take place in February 2022.

The 10 countries include the Czech Republic as well as Denmark, Estonia, and Finland. They want Europe to do more to target Russia's oil exports to reduce the revenue flowing to Moscow.

In a paper published jointly by the two countries, they stated that the goal was to ban imports of Russian LNG and gas as soon as possible.

Ireland, Latvia and Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden also signed the document.

The document stated that "an alternative to a full ban would be to reduce gradually the use of Russian LNG and gas, as was already set forth in the RePowerEU Roadmap." It referred to the EU's current goal to stop using Russian fossil fuels before 2027.

The EU has sanctioned Russian oil imports via sea, but not yet banned imports of gas from Moscow. This is because some EU member states continue to depend on these imports.

The 10 countries also said that Russian LNG tankers docking in the EU should be prohibited.

Bloomberg News reported the document earlier in the day.

The European Commission has drafted a detailed plan for weaning countries off Russian fuel. Sanctions, the most direct method to stop Russian fuel imports, would need unanimous approval by all EU countries.

Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban had previously opposed Russian Energy Sanctions, while Slovak PM Robert Fico claimed last week that he secured Slovakia's supply of gas during a December visit to Russia President Vladimir Putin.

Since 2022, Europe's gas imports have plummeted from Russia, its former largest supplier. To help fill this gap, the bloc has increased imports of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas and increased its use of renewable energies.

This month, Russian gas imports fell further after a contract to bring Russian fuel into Europe via Ukraine expired. Slovakia has promised to attempt to restart that deal. (Reporting and editing by Kate Abnett)

(source: Reuters)