It is known that the United States is promoting a plan to virtually ban exports of certain items that can be used as weapons to Russia at the G7 summit to be held in Hiroshima, Japan, from the 19th to the 21st. In addition, sanctions such as blocking Russian natural gas exports through pipelines in response to Russia’s ‘weaponization of energy’ will be announced at the G7 summit. It is the first time Russia has blocked natural gas exports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.
Reuters reported on the 14th (local time), citing a source, “The US expects G7 members to agree to sanctions banning all exports of certain categories of goods, except for approved items.” It is intended to introduce so-called ‘positive measures’ sanctions that ban exports of all items to Russia except those permitted for export.
This type of regulation is expected to be applied first to items used in Russian weapons production and the like. A U.S. government official explained, “There will be changes (in the way of sanctions) in some items related to the Russian defense industry.”
However, Germany, which has a high share of economic cooperation with Russia among the G7 countries, is known to oppose full-scale sanctions. A German government official said, “We want to avoid unintended side effects.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin. 2023.05.09. Moscow=AP/NewsisSanctions against Russian energy exports will also be strengthened. The British Financial Times (FT) reported on the same day that the G7 and the European Union (EU) have decided to ban the resumption of Russian gas imports through pipelines.
In the G7 statement, the FT said, “We will further reduce the use of Russian energy sources until the issue of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is resolved,” and “a plan to prevent the resumption of gas pipelines closed due to the Russian government’s energy weaponization measures is included.” It was said that this would be included.
After the invasion of Ukraine last year, Russia stopped supplying natural gas to Germany and Poland in response to Western sanctions. Even if it tries to resume exports due to this sanctions, it is expected that it will not be able to do so.
Even at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the EU did not make it a target of sanctions given member states’ high dependence on natural gas from Russia. However, in recent months, it seems to have made this decision after overcoming the energy crisis by reducing demand and accelerating renewable energy.
Washington =
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.