Russian LNG avoids full ban in EU sanctions plan – Politico
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The European Union will not impose a blanket ban on the purchase of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in its latest sanctions package, according to Politico, citing EU diplomats.

The European Commission plans to officially present its 16th sanctions package against Russia on Wednesday.

The sanctions package will stop the supply of Russian LNG to EU terminals not connected to the EU gas system but will not significantly affect the majority of LNG imports.

Additionally, the package will propose sanctions on outdated oil tankers that are part of Russia's shadow fleet, with 74 new vessels expected to be targeted.

Further measures in the sanctions package aim to limit aluminum exports from Russia, which supplies about 6% of the EU's aluminum imports. It will also target video game equipment, such as Microsoft's Xbox, which the EU claims Russia uses to control drones.

Last month, the EU imported record volumes of LNG from Russia, with most of the gas arriving at ports in Spain, Belgium, and France from the Yamal plant in northern Siberia.

On January 27, Bloomberg reported that the European Commission might delay the publication of a plan to phase out Russian LNG.

On the same day, EU foreign ministers agreed to extend sanctions against Russia for another six months.