EU approves 19th package of Russian sanctions including LNG ban

The European Union has approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, introducing a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Danish presidency of the EU announced on Wednesday.

"We are very pleased to announce that we have just been informed by the last remaining member state that it is now ready to lift its reservation on the 19th sanctions package," the presidency said.

Slovakia had been the final country to withhold approval after member states agreed on the final text last week. Prime Minister Robert Fico had sought assurances from the European Commission regarding high energy costs and the alignment of climate goals with the needs of carmakers and heavy industry. A Slovak diplomat confirmed that these concerns were addressed through new clauses added to the final communiqué for the upcoming EU leaders’ summit on Thursday.

"As a result, a written procedure for Council approval has been launched. If no objections are raised, the package will be formally adopted tomorrow at 8 a.m.," the statement added.

The LNG ban will be implemented in two phases: short-term contracts will expire after six months, while long-term ones will cease from 1 January 2027, a full year earlier than the Commission’s original plan to end the bloc’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

The sanctions package also imposes new travel restrictions on Russian diplomats and adds 117 ships to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”, mainly oil tankers, bringing the total number of listed vessels to 558.

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