New anti-Russian EU package: Patriarch Kirill and pollock escaped sanctions

The states of the European Union have agreed on the 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions. Negotiations continued for several weeks, but the parties managed to reach a compromise. The document has been submitted for approval by the EU Council.

“The new package hits sectors of particular importance for Russia: energy, finance, cryptocurrencies and trade,” said European Council President António Costa, emphasizing that Europe stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.

One of the key provisions of the package is the extension of the current price ceiling on Russian oil for 12 months. It was also possible to resolve the issue of transporting Russian liquefied gas to third countries – this was done as a gesture of goodwill towards Greece.

At the request of Bulgaria, the EU refused to impose sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. Portugal and France have achieved the cancellation of a proposal to ban the import of Russian cod and pollock into the EU, France24 reports.