The European Union is considering changing how it adopts sanctions against Russia: instead of large "packages," restrictions would be agreed upon individually or in small thematic groups, the Financial Times reported, citing sources. According to officials, this would reduce the risk of delays caused by individual member states' vetoes.
The 21st sanctions package, adopted last week, may be the last in this format, the FT's interlocutors said. "It is now completely obvious that this approach no longer works," one of them said.
The trigger for the strategy review was the situation with the latest package: its approval was delayed due to Greece. Athens demanded exemptions for its shipping company Dynagas in transporting Russian liquefied natural gas. Brussels was forced to make concessions.
According to Euractiv, as part of the same package, the EU lifted sanctions on imports of Russian sable fur — a ban that had been introduced only in April. The European Commission explained the decision by saying that Russia holds a dominant position on the global market and that European producers have almost no alternatives. Italy and Greece, the main buyers of Russian sable, had pushed for the exemptions, according to the outlet.
The easing applies only to raw fur. The import of finished fur products from Russia into the EU and the export of such goods from the EU to Russia remain banned.