Serious divisions persist within the European Union over a new sanctions package targeting foreign ports and banks that Brussels believes are being used by Russia to circumvent restrictions on oil sales, Bloomberg reports, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
Italy and Hungary are opposing the inclusion of Georgia’s Kulevi port on the sanctions list, arguing that it is also used to import Azerbaijani gas critical to Europe’s energy balance. Similar concerns have been raised by Greece and Malta over potential restrictions on a port in Indonesia, amid fears of unintended knock-on effects for trade.
A Cuban bank proposed for inclusion in the sanctions has emerged as a separate point of contention. Italy and Spain argue that it is the island’s only financial institution handling foreign currency and servicing EU diplomats and citizens, making any restrictions both politically and practically sensitive.
Greece and Malta are also sceptical about abandoning the price cap on Russian oil in favour of a blanket ban on maritime services, including insurance and transport. Implementing such a move would depend directly on the consent of the G7 countries, while the US position remains uncertain.
Against this backdrop of divisions, resistance within the EU is intensifying and, according to sources, could jeopardise the adoption of the entire next sanctions package.