Von der Leyen announces sanctions against Nord Stream

In addition to sanctions against Nord Stream, the EU is discussing new measures against the Russian financial sector and lowering the price ceiling on gasoil , von der Leyen said

The European Union intends to increase pressure on RUSSIA due to military actions in Ukraine and is preparing a new package of sanctions that will affect the Nord Stream pipelines, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“This package will include, for example, sanctions against Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2,” she said ( quoted byREUTERS ) before the start of the European Political Community summit in Tirana.

The blacklist will include new oil tankers that Brussels links to the Russian shadow fleet. The EU also intends to lower the maximum price for oil from Russia (the G7 countries, the European Union and Australia set the ceiling at $60 per barrel in December 2022) and introduce new measures against the financial sector.

Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 run from Russia to Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Three of the four gas pipelines were damaged in explosions in September 2022. Pumping through Nord Stream was stopped at that time for repair work, Nord Stream 2 was not put into operation.

In early March, the Financial Times reported that Russia and the United States were discussing restarting the pipeline with the participation of American investors, which angered a number of EU member states. According to Politico, the White House was considering lifting American sanctions on Nord Stream 2, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio opposed it.

The Wall Street Journal wrote that the European Commission wants to block Nord Stream 2 if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire. The publication specified that the measure is proposed to be introduced separately from the new sanctions package. The next, 17th round of restrictive measures was agreed upon by the European Union on May 14, and it may be adopted next Tuesday, the 20th. It will include dozens of individuals and legal entities, including from third countries, and about a hundred tankers.

Bild also wrote that the EU is discussing separate, tougher measures that are linked to the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul. According to the publication, European countries are considering the possibility of completely abandoning gas from Russia (currently, the share of Russian natural gas in EU imports is almost 20%) and limiting uranium imports for nuclear power plants. Russia considers the sanctions illegal.

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