The German government demands that possible sanctions against Russia over Ukraine do not affect the Russian energy sector, Bloomberg reports citing documents. The German authorities insist on this exception if measures are taken to block the access of Russian banks to settlements on transactions in US dollars .
Germany fears that without this, energy supplies to Europe will be in jeopardy, the agency writes, citing documents. However, according to a Bloomberg interlocutor, the country's proposed exemptions will not prevent possible measures against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The German Foreign Ministry did not respond to the agency's request.
According to sources, other Western European countries also support a similar point of view. An energy exemption could be part of a final package of sanctions negotiated with the United States in the event of Russia's "invasion" of Ukraine, one official said.
Bloomberg learned about the request to exclude a number of banks from sanctions because of Ukraine Politics
Germany handed over the document with its proposals to the European allies. According to Bloomberg, it was prepared after the German government faced criticism for refusing to supply defensive weapons to Ukraine.