DISINFO: The 11th package of anti-Russian sanctions puts EU energy security at risk
SUMMARY
EU restrictions part of the 11th package of anti-Russian sanctions will put European energy security at risk. Brussels is pushing EU members to act contrary to their national interests, in an attempt to receive financial resources from them to support Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Western sanctions. This claim was made in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Following the launch of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Council has adopted 11 packages of sanctions against Russia and Belarus as of June 2023. These restrictions are aimed at weakening Russia’s ability to finance the war and specifically target the political, military and economic elite responsible for the invasion.
In the energy sphere, the 11th package of sanctions puts an end to the temporary derogation which allowed for the supply of crude oil from Russia to the EU through the northern section of the Druzhba oil pipeline. However, the oil which originates in Kazakhstan or another third country will be able to continue to transit through Russia and imported into the EU via the Druzhba oil pipeline.
The diversification of energy supplies is one of the cornerstones of the EU’s energy policy as it helps to strengthen European energy security, to prevent the monopolisation of the energy market and to introduce more competition to the energy market.
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