The European Commissioner named the reasons for the complicated process of sanctions decisions.

The European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stated that the West must continue to exert sanctions pressure on Russia as long as it continues its aggression against Ukraine. He emphasized the need to hold Russia accountable for its actions by limiting its revenues from oil and gas exports.

Dombrovskis noted that the G7 has set a maximum price on Russian oil, but Russia finds ways to bypass these restrictions by using a shadow fleet that is also subject to sanctions. The EU is also trying to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.

Dombrovskis stated that despite the increase in imports of Russian LNG, there are ways to influence Russia in this sector. However, internal political problems affect the EU's ability to do more.

The European Union needs the coherence of its 27 members to impose sanctions. So far, 15 packages of sanctions have been introduced, but there is no unified approach to Russian gas.

Sanctions also impact the economies of EU countries. Currently, Norway is the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe, while the USA supplies LNG. Thus, European countries have found alternatives to Russian supplies, and Russia cannot use its gas as a means of pressure.

Dombrovskis emphasized that sanctions work, but more can be done at the economic level. It is important to achieve political consensus.