European Union countries are actively trying to convince the United States to ease the sanctions imposed on Gazprombank, Bloomberg reports.
The EU is concerned about the potential negative consequences these sanctions could have, particularly the threat they pose to the stability of gas supplies to the region.
According to the publication, EU diplomatic efforts are focused on finding solutions that would allow payments for energy supplies to continue while still complying with international sanctions. One option being discussed is the possibility of conducting legal payments through Gazprombank’s subsidiary in Luxembourg. Other potential payment channels that might not violate current sanctions are also being considered.
Sources close to the negotiations have indicated that EU officials are worried that tightening sanctions on Gazprombank could lead to unpredictable consequences for Europe’s energy security. The cessation or restriction of the bank’s operations could complicate the fulfillment of gas supply contracts, which would, in turn, affect the broader energy market in the region.
In recent months, energy security and sanctions policy have become key topics of discussions between the EU and the US. The EU is striving to ensure the resilience of its energy supplies amidst global instability, while also seeking to mitigate the economic impact of sanctions on its member states.
However, the US has yet to make a decision on this matter, maintaining that the sanctions are necessary to exert pressure on Russia. Nonetheless, the recognition of Europe’s energy security needs is prompting them to reconsider some aspects of their policy.
