Sanctions against Russia
65 Commons Library Research Briefing, 22 March 2023
In the immediate term the plan will address the diversification of gas supplies
to Europe and "reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the
end of the year".
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In setting out the plan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
said: "We must become independent from Russian oil, coal and gas. We
simply cannot rely on a supplier who explicitly threatens us".
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Russia's response
In response to Western sanctions, Russia threatened to cut off gas supplies to
Europe. After initially cutting the capacity of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to
20%, citing ongoing maintenance and technical issues, in early September
2022 operating company Gazprom shut the pipeline indefinitely, blaming
Western-led sanctions against Russia.
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This followed earlier moves by Russia
to cut off or reduce supplies to 12 EU countries following their refusal to pay
for Russian gas in roubles.
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In response to the G7 plan to implement a price
cap on Russian oil and a subsequent suggestion by the EU Commission
President, Ursula von der Leyen, to impose a price cap on Russian gas,
President Putin said that Russia would halt all energy supplies completely.
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In December 2022 Russia announced that it would not supply any country
imposing the price cap, followed by an announcement in February 2023 that
oil production would be cut by half a million barrels a day from March 2023.
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Special economic measures have also been introduced by the Kremlin to ban
the export of certain commodities and raw materials to a list of countries
designated as "unfriendly", including the UK, US and EU. An export ban is now
in place on telecoms, medical, vehicle, agricultural and electrical equipment
and timber. The ban also includes exports of goods made by foreign
companies in Russia, including cars, railway carriages and containers.
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Military assistance
In February 2022, the EU announced that, for the first time in its history, it
would finance the purchase and delivery of lethal military equipment to a
third country.
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European Commission, Press release, 8 March 2022
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European Commission, Press release, 8 March 2022
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The Guardian, "Russia will not resume gas supplies to Europe until sanctions lifted, says Moscow", 5
September 2022
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EU Observer, "Russia cuts Nord Stream 1 gas to 20% capacity", 28 July 2022 and BBC News,
"Gazprom: Nord Stream 1 supply to EU to be cut further", 25 July 2022
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BBC News, "EU plans Russian gas price cap despite Putin threat", 7 September 2022
281
"Russia to send most 2023 oil exports to friendly countries after output cut announcement", S&P
Global, 13 February 2023
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BBC News, "Russia hits back at Western sanctions with export bans", 10 March 2022
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Council of the European Union, Press release, 28 February 2022.
