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A dispute over gas shipments prevented the EU from agreeing on a new sanctions package against Russia on Wednesday evening. According to reports, Russian LNG cargoes are to remain exempt for now, which also benefits Greek shipping companies. The talks are to continue.

The EU is still wrestling with its next Russia sanctions package. Politico Europe (liberal) reports that a dispute over gas shipments prevented an agreement late on Wednesday evening, with negotiations to continue, shortly before many diplomats depart for the summer break. The Financial Times (United Kingdom) specifies that Russian LNG cargoes are to remain exempt, so that the Greek shipping company Dynagas, for example, may continue to transport Russian liquefied gas. The state-aligned Serbian Politika highlights above all the blockade by Athens and the disunity among the member states. Taken together, the familiar pattern emerges: the unanimity principle gives individual countries a veto lever, and economic self-interest shapes the negotiations. The exact contents of the package remain open until an agreement is reached. What can be noted is that the EU is falling short of its sanctions goal for now.