EU Unlikely To Ban Pipeline Gas Imports From Russia In Next Sanctions Package

The European Union is unlikely to introduce a ban on imports of pipeline gas from Russia in the 11th package of sanctions as this idea has no support in Brussels, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing EU diplomats.

"From what I hear, it is very unlikely this will pass," an EU diplomat from a country that had its Russian gas cut off last year told the media.

Even though the issue would be discussed during the upcoming summit of the Group of Seven (G7) in Japan's Hiroshima, EU officials and analysts said there was no consensus to support the idea, the report said.

"There is too much resistance from the countries dependent on the remaining gas ... The 11th sanctions package is almost done and inserting this huge measure at this moment is not going to work," the diplomat added.