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EU Stays Committed to Energy Sanctions on Russia

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The EU on Wednesday said it remains committed to its sanctions on energy imports from Russia despite the ongoing energy supply crisis fueled by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

"We remain committed to our sanctions on imports of Russian oil and gas, and we need to reiterate the call for Russians not to be benefitting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East," European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho told reporters at a news briefing. "It's too ironic."

Pinho was responding to a question on whether countries like the US and UK were undermining the EU strategy to pressurize Russia over its war with Ukraine through sanctions.

"We'll see what the future brings. We have not hesitated in standing by a number of sanctions against the US. As recently as two weeks ago, we had an agreement on the 20th package of sanctions. What will come next remains to be seen," she added.

On Tuesday, the UK introduced a new general trade license covering sanctioned processed oil products under Russia-related trade restrictions.

The license, effective from Wednesday, applies to diesel and jet fuel products refined in third countries using Russian-origin crude oil and will remain valid indefinitely unless authorities later amend, suspend, or revoke the authorization.

The UK also published a separate temporary license covering maritime transportation and related services linked to liquefied natural gas activities under the Russia sanctions rules.

Earlier this week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the Trump administration is issuing a temporary 30-day general license to provide the most vulnerable nations with the ability to temporarily access Russian oil currently stranded at sea.

"This extension will provide additional flexibility, and we will work with these nations to provide specific licenses as needed. This general license will help stabilize the physical crude market and ensure oil reaches the most energy-vulnerable countries. It will also help reroute existing supply to countries most in need by reducing China's ability to stockpile discounted oil," Bessent said in a social media post on X.

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