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Some EU countries have proposed a gradual introduction of a gas embargo against the Russian Federation, but so far this idea has not found the support of the majority. Izvestia was told about this in the European Parliament, noting that with the help of the seventh package of restrictions, the EU intends to eliminate loopholes in violation of already adopted restrictions, as well as to impose an embargo on Russian gold. On July 14, the association's ambassadors resumed discussions on anti-Russian sanctions. The European Union is expected to officially introduce a new package of restrictive measures next week.

On July 14, the ambassadors of the EU countries resumed work on agreeing on the seventh package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. According to the Euractiv Internet portal, the next restrictions can be approved by the middle of next week.

The discussion of the sixth package of measures because of the position of Hungary dragged on for almost a month (on May 4 it was presented by the European Commission, and approved only on June 3). After that, the Europeans were in no hurry with the seventh package, although some countries of the association asked for more decisiveness. So, in early June, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pavel Yablonsky proposed allowing the confiscation of Russian assets in the EU, as well as disconnecting all Russian banks from SWIFT.

Nevertheless, the Hungarian factor forced the European Union not only to introduce a partial oil embargo, but also to postpone the idea of ​​a Russian gas boycott. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on July 13 that the seventh package would not include restrictions on gas supplies. According to him, a lot of EU member countries depend on Russian blue fuel. The mechanism of joint gas purchases for the association is unlikely to be launched this year, the politician is sure.

Slovak Member of the European Parliament (EP) Milan Ugrik told Izvestia that as part of the discussion on sanctions, the EU countries are discussing mechanisms to limit prices for Russian oil (that is, the EU would allow the Russian Federation to export it, but at a lower cost proposed by the West). However, according to the politician, the countries are unlikely to be able to reach a consensus on this issue.

“Some EU members have also proposed to start gradually introducing a gas embargo, but this idea has not yet found majority support,” the MEP added.

The growing crisis does not allow the European Union to introduce new sanctions against the energy sector. On July 13, the Hungarian authorities declared a state of emergency in the energy sector. In Germany, the second level of emergency due to a decrease in gas supplies from Russia has been in effect since June 23. According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), gas reserves in Europe have begun to grow twice as slowly since July 11 after the shutdown of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline due to planned work.

According to Milan Ugrik, in such a situation, the European Union is considering introducing a ban on the purchase of Russian gold, but the creation of a sanctions mechanism for this product is still at the level of discussion.

— For example, Switzerland may not ban the import of Russian gold because of the potential damage to its economy and industry. Bern can choose its own policy, since it is not part of the EU, but such a step would be indicative: a rational policy in Europe has not died yet, the MEP stressed.

The key idea of ​​the new EU sanctions package will be the elimination of loopholes to circumvent previous measures. Many media have already written about this before. EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano told Izvestia that discussions are ongoing between member states on how to make sanctions even more effective: avoid circumventing them and strengthen them if necessary.

“These discussions are confidential and I cannot disclose details, content or timing,” he added.

Milan Ugrik, in turn, assured Izvestia: it is most likely not worth expecting another serious restriction.

“The new measures will most likely be aimed at reviewing all previous sanctions and eliminating loopholes for their violation, but these loopholes have not yet been identified,” the deputy concluded.

As reported by the Euroactiv portal on July 14, this work may involve the addition of certain products to the list of prohibited items. As Ivan Timofeev, program director of the Russian International Affairs Council, told Izvestiya, there were no secondary sanctions in the EU practice, so it is still difficult to guess what the mentioned “loopholes” mean.

- To some extent, it is strange that a separate package of mechanisms for loopholes is required. What exactly will be written there is an open question. For example, the US has a lot of experience in this. They used final sanctions against those who helped bypass them: they introduced measures of administrative and criminal prosecution. In the practice of the EU, there are coercive measures only in the arsenal of individual members, the expert noted.

In particular, Ivan Timofeev notes, Germany recently introduced criminal prosecution of its citizens who were involved in circumventing sanctions against the Russian Federation.

However, this practice is small. In addition, the EU has not previously used secondary sanctions, and even criticized the US for them. It is not obvious whether they will do it now,” the expert added.

According to Euroactiv, the new document will contain references to the recently published clarifications of the European Commission (EC) on the transit of goods to Kaliningrad. The same information was confirmed by Izvestia sources earlier. As a reminder, since June 18, Lithuania has restricted the passage through its territory of Russian goods that have fallen under the restrictions, bound for the Kaliningrad region. On July 13, the EC announced its recommendations on this issue: road transit was not allowed, and the transportation of goods by rail was allowed with the necessary control. .

Ivan Timofeev noted in a conversation with Izvestia that the situation with Kaliningrad is a separate problem, which has so far been partially suppressed, but this does not matter in the context of other sanctions.

- The EU does not want this problem to be chanted now, and has given such guidance on the interpretation of its sanctions - less radical than that of Vilnius, - the expert concluded.

However, these are not the only hints of easing on the part of the EU. As Bloomberg reported on July 14, the association is discussing the possible removal of restrictions from some citizens of the Russian Federation. The changes may affect about 40 Russians. 30 of them filed a lawsuit demanding the removal of restrictions, another 10 appealed to the EU directly. Names are not released to keep them confidential. At the same time, the agency reported that as part of the new sanctions package against Russia, the European Union intends to propose new sanctions against another 50 individuals and legal entities.

Russia's permanent representative to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said in June that it was "at least premature" to talk about a seventh package of sanctions. According to him, “even a blind man can see” what economic problems Europe has faced after the already imposed restrictions. On July 14, the European Commission presented a new report, again reducing the forecast for the growth of the EU economy. Compared to the spring review, growth expectations for next year have fallen from 2.3% to 1.5%. Nevertheless, as Peter Stano told Izvestia, the EU is determined to continue sanctions against Russia as long as it continues the "special military operation in Ukraine".