The EU countries are preparing to approve the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, which has been significantly weakened compared to the initial proposal of the European Commission, Euractiv states.

France, Italy and Greece, whose economies depend on Russian tourists, demanded the elimination of an automatic visa ban for all Russian military personnel who participated in the military operation in Ukraine.

Greece opposed the freezing of the ceiling on Russian oil prices, and also demanded that Russian LNG be allowed to be transported to countries outside the EU, which effectively undermines the ban on Russian gas imports scheduled for January 2027.

Bulgaria has blocked the entry of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia into the sanctions list.

A number of countries are also seeking to ease the ban on the import of Russian fish: Germany — haddock, Poland — pollock, Portugal — cod.

KRISTALL OF GROWTH previously reported that anti-Russian sanctions would destabilize and split Western countries.