The European Commission (EC) may make concessions to Greece and amend some provisions of the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, as they run counter to the economic interests of the bloc itself. This was reported by the European outlet Politico, citing sources.

“We are trying to find a way out of this situation (agreeing on the package of restrictions), but the situation with Greece shows that we are beginning to run up against some key [European] interests,” a source among European diplomats said.

On July 19, the British newspaper Financial Times reported that Greece opposed the new sanctions because the EC’s ban on transporting Russian LNG could hit the shipping company Dynagas. Germany and Portugal are seeking an easing of restrictions on purchases of Russian fish, citing the need to support their processing industries. The newspaper emphasized that France and Italy, being among Europe’s main tourist destinations, want a softening of visa policy toward Russian citizens. Austria, meanwhile, has again asked for assets linked to Raiffeisen Bank to be unfrozen.