The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will try to finalise, on Friday 10 July, the negotiations between the Member States on the 21st package of EU sanctions targeting Russia over its military aggression against Ukraine (see EUROPE 13884/1), with a view to a definitive option on Wednesday 15 July.
Several issues still have to be settled concerning this package of measures, which the Irish authorities hope to keep as a single block including the revision of the international mechanism adjusting the price cap of Russian oil to $45 a barrel.
While the embargo on imports of Russian LNG is secured, discussions remain on certain ancillary services, such as the sale of oil tankers to third countries and the transit via the EU of LNG intended for third countries. The countries, such as Greece, Cyprus and Malta, which are reluctant to ban these ancillary services, are also those having difficulties with the revised mechanism adjusting the price of Russian crude. According to our information, discussions concern the duration – between three and six months – of the suspension of the revised mechanism.
Still on the question of oil, discussions are under way concerning a new refinery recently built in Georgia with the aim, according to certain EU countries, of circumventing the embargo on Russian oil. Italy and Bulgaria are said to have difficulties accepting specific sanctions targeting this refinery.
The ban on entry into the EU of persons fighting for Russia against Ukraine has still not been fully settled. While the initial proposal targeted former Russian fighters, it would appear that only current fighters are now concerned. The countries in favour of a measure originally put forward by Estonia point to the difficulty of identifying the persons concerned, the burden of proof falling on the Council of the EU. But they would be ready to approve this sanction as a first step towards a lasting solution.
Another element still under discussion is the ban on importing Russian fishery products. Some Member States are having problems with this measure, which will create difficulties for their processing industry using Russian cod.
New individuals will be included on the lists of persons sanctioned by the EU with an exclusion order and a freeze on assets held in the EU. Discussed as early as 2022 (see EUROPE 12964/11), the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church is still giving rise to debate.
Among the issues that appear to have been settled are the extension of European sanctions to around 20 Russian banks, as well as the inclusion of the crypto-assets sector.
As for the export of alumina from the EU to Russia, a ban would not be included in the 21st package of European sanctions on the table, Ireland requesting time to analyse the situation of the plant located on its territory. Measures could be provided for in a forthcoming package of EU sanctions. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)