The European Union's plans for a complete ban on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia are being met with caution by France and Belgium. These two countries have indicated that they are not yet ready to support the new sanctions package being proposed in Brussels.
It has been reported that the European Commission is developing a new initiative to impose a full embargo on Russian gas. However, this move is currently facing serious resistance from France and Belgium, which are among the largest buyers of Russian LNG in Europe.
The French side is demanding a thorough examination of the economic and legal consequences of the sanctions before they come into effect. Paris officials are currently working on a strategic plan to identify alternative energy sources to replace Russian gas and redirect the import network.
The Belgian government is planning to prepare a special report to deeply analyze the significant economic risks that may arise from these sanctions. Officials have stated that the decisions made on this matter will only be known after thorough and well-founded analyses.
Experts believe that the next gas embargo against Russia could impact Europe's energy security. In particular, the risks of supply disruptions and rising prices are being taken into account during the winter season.
For this reason, France and Belgium remain advocates of resolving the sanctions issue based on long-term and balanced solutions rather than accepting them all at once. Important negotiations on this matter are expected to take place in the European Union in the coming weeks.
