FT: Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and France are holding up the 21st sanctions package against Russia

Support for new anti-Russian sanctions within the European Union is weakening, as European governments fear that the proposed measures could harm their leading companies.

This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources.

According to the publication, several states — Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and France — have demanded exemptions from the 21st sanctions package or blocked measures proposed by Brussels.

Greece has opposed new restrictions on the grounds that the European Commission’s ban on the transportation of Russian LNG could hurt the shipping company Dynagas. Germany and Portugal are seeking to ease restrictions on the purchase of Russian fish, citing the need to support their processing industries.

France and Italy, being among Europe’s top tourist destinations, are insisting on a softening of visa policy toward Russian citizens. Austria, for its part, has once again raised the issue of unfreezing assets linked to Raiffeisen bank.

On July 15, ambassadors of European Union member states failed in an attempt to agree on the 21st sanctions package against Russia. Negotiations have been postponed until July 23.