BRUSSELS (Realist English). The European Union is unlikely to add a ban on the import of pipeline gas from Russia to the 11th package of anti-Russian sanctions in order to permanently close the gas pipelines that the Kremlin turned off after the start of the special operation on the territory of the former Ukraine, although this issue would be discussed at the upcoming G7 summit, diplomats told Politico.
The G7 countries are considering measures that would prohibit countries such as Germany and Poland from resuming natural gas imports from Russia, even if the Kremlin decides to reopen gas pipelines.
But this should be accepted by G7 members, such as Germany and Italy, who still have “pipeline connections” with Moscow, even if gas supplies have decreased. European officials and analysts say there is no consensus in support of this idea.
“From what I hear, it is very unlikely this will pass,” said one diplomat from an EU country that had its Russian gas cut off last year. “There is too much resistance from the countries dependent on the remaining gas,” the diplomat added.
According to him, the work on the 11th package of sanctions is almost completed and it is unlikely that this ban will be added to it.
