Greece Blocks EU Sanctions Package Over Russian LNG Transport

The Government of Greece blocked the adoption of the European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia during ambassador-level talks on July 22, 2026. Athens opposes a proposed ban on EU-based companies transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries, contending that the measure would damage the Greek maritime industry and shift market share to competitors in the United States, China, and Japan.

The dispute centers on the operations of Dynagas, a company owned by George Procopiou that utilizes Arc7-class ice-breaking tankers for the Yamal LNG project. To break the deadlock, the Government of Ireland proposed a compromise that would allow EU-flagged tankers to export Russian LNG until January 2029 under specific volume caps. Greece rejected this proposal, instead demanding an open-ended exemption.

This diplomatic impasse occurs as the EU manages an energy crisis driven by low gas reserves and supply disruptions from QatarEnergy, which declared force majeure following conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. These disruptions have triggered a surge in Russian LNG imports to EU ports as the region prepares for a scheduled total ban on such imports on January 1, 2027.