EU Faces Internal Division as Greece and Bulgaria Block New Russia Sanctions

The European Union may abandon its 21st package of sanctions against Russia due to internal disagreements among member states, according to reporting from Mediapool.bg. Greece and Bulgaria are currently blocking the measures, with Greece specifically citing the interests of a Greek billionaire as a primary reason for the deadlock.

The impasse has led to diplomatic friction within the bloc. Latvia has criticized the positions of Bulgaria and Greece, questioning whether these nations prioritize financial gain over peace, as reported by Club ‘Z’.

Greece and Bulgaria block 21st sanctions package

The 21st package of sanctions is currently stalled because the EU requires unanimity for such measures. According to Nova Sega, Greece is blocking the current proposal to protect the interests of a Greek billionaire. This specific point of contention has prevented the council from reaching the consensus necessary to move forward with the new restrictions.

Bulgaria has also emerged as a blocking party in these negotiations. The Financial Times reports a broader trend of growing resistance across Europe toward the imposition of new sanctions against Russia, suggesting that the fatigue or economic concerns in Sofia and Athens are not isolated incidents.

Disputes over Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG)

A central point of the current debate involves the energy sector. According to Investor.bg, the EU is currently discussing various scenarios to maintain sanctions specifically targeting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). While some member states push for a total ban, others seek exemptions or alternative frameworks to avoid severe energy price shocks.

The difficulty in reaching an agreement on LNG reflects a divide between nations that have completely decoupled from Russian energy and those that still rely on specific infrastructure or commercial contracts. The failure to resolve these energy-related disputes is a primary driver behind the possibility that the 21st package may be scrapped entirely.

Diplomatic tension and the role of Latvia

The stalemate has triggered sharp rhetoric from Baltic member states. Latvia has openly attacked the stances of Bulgaria and Greece for their roles in blocking the sanctions. According to Club ‘Z’, the Latvian government’s frustration is centered on the perception that economic interests are being placed above the strategic goal of ending the conflict in Ukraine.

This friction highlights a growing gap in the EU’s approach to Russia. On one side, nations like Latvia push for more aggressive economic pressure. On the other, nations like Greece and Bulgaria are increasingly hesitant to implement measures that directly impact their domestic billionaires or national energy security.

Broader resistance to new EU sanctions

The current deadlock is part of a wider shift in European sentiment. The Financial Times indicates that resistance to new sanctions is increasing across the continent. This trend suggests that the initial wave of rapid, unanimous agreement following the February 2022 invasion has been replaced by a more fragmented landscape where national economic interests are more frequently weighed against collective diplomatic goals.

If the EU cannot resolve the disagreement between the “blocking” states and the proponents of the 21st package, the bloc faces the prospect of a public failure to expand its sanctions regime, potentially signaling a softening of the EU’s economic pressure on Moscow.