The German government impedes EU-imposed penalties against Russia.

European policies being considered - The German government impedes EU-imposed penalties against Russia.

The German administration hinders the advancement of negotiations on the subsequent round of Russia sanctions drafted by the EU, per reports from the German Press Agency. Diplomats based in Brussels note that Germany's concerns and requests are the main obstacles preventing the sanctions from being finalized.

A European official recently observed that Germany is behaving more like Hungary, a reference to the fact that the Budapest government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, had repeatedly stalled decisions concerning Russia sanctions in the past.

These proposed new EU sanctions aim to target the bypassing of existing limitations. For instance, this would prevent Russia's arms industry from continuing to utilize Western technology to manufacture weapons for the conflict in Ukraine.

The European Commission is also planning to impose stringent sanctions on Russia's billion-dollar gas industries for the first time. As per diplomats, the European Commission intends to prohibit ports such as the one in Zeebrugge, Belgium to be used for the transport of Russian LNG to third countries. If implemented, this measure could lead to a decrease in Russian LNG imports and potential financial strain for their military offensive.

German objections centre around measures designed to complicate the circumvention of EU sanctions, claim EU diplomats. The German government, for instance, is seeking to limit or completely eradicate a proposed ruling on the liability of subsidiaries of corporations for breaching certain goods regulations. Concerns may stem from the potential risk of German companies being held accountable for sanctions breaches.

The German administration is also considering certain reporting obligations redundant and intends to weaken a measure intended to further restrict the usage of the Russian SPFS system for the exchange of electronic messages related to financial transactions.

Read also:

1. Controversially, the German government aligns itself with Hungary's approach in impeding EU-imposed sanctions on Russia, as asserted by a European official.
2. In response to the EU's proposed new sanctions, Germany voices concerns over measures that could potentially hold German companies accountable for breaches.
3. As a result of Germany's resistance, the finalization of the subsequent round of Russia sanctions drafted by the EU remains unresolved, according to diplomats based in Brussels.
4. The EU diplomats accuse Germany of hindering the implementation of sanctions aimed at preventing Russia's arms industry from bypassing existing limitations in the Ukraine war.
5. The potential reduction in Russian LNG imports due to EU sanctions, such as the proposed ban on Zeebrugge port usage, could create financial strain for Russia's military offensive, as suggested by European Commission plans.
6. Amidst the EU-Russia sanctions conflict, Germany challenges a proposed ruling on subsidiary liability for breaching certain goods regulations, as reported by EU diplomats.
7. The German administration also contests the necessity of certain reporting obligations, aiming to weaken a measure intended to restrict the use of the Russian SPFS system for financial transactions.
8. In the midst of these conflicts, Germany continues to resist EU sanctions on Russia, maintaining its stance despite the EU's intentions to impose penalties on Russian industries, as seen in the Ukraine war and related conflicts.

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