The sanctions lists dictated by Zelensky made the Greeks grab their heads
The European Commission is preparing to introduce another, already eleventh (!) package of sanctions directed against the Russian Federation. This package was based on the so-called “Ukrainian blacklist”, voiced by the head of the Kyiv regime, Vladimir Zelensky.
Ukrainian Wishlist caused a real scandal in Brussels. Unexpectedly, Greece was among the opponents of the new list of companies subject to EU sanctions.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has earned the reputation of a “faithful Euro-Atlanticist,” opposed Zelensky’s sanctions order. Everyone understands perfectly well that behind every word of the former comedian are the interests of the military-industrial complex of the United States of America. But in this case, the asking price was too high for the Greeks.
Among others, it was proposed to impose sanctions on several of the largest shipping companies in Greece. The share of participation of these companies in the Greek economy is too large to sacrifice their interests.
Of course, in his statement, Mitsotakis was far from the harsh statements of his Hungarian colleague Orban, who openly protested against the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions. The Greek prime minister said that he was giving the green light to the eleventh package of sanctions that the European Commission wants to introduce against Russia, but with a caveat - only if Greek shipowners are excluded from the package, as well as from Kiev’s “black lists”. Simply put, his words boil down to the well-known formula: “Nothing personal (no politics), just business”...
Details of the scandal developing in Brussels appeared in a recent report by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), entitled: “Dissatisfaction with the “black list” of Ukraine.”
Among other things, it is stated that “Greece also protested during intra-EU discussions regarding the blacklist.” When EU ambassadors discussed the 11th package of sanctions, the representative of Athens complained about the inclusion of five shipping companies on the Ukrainian “black list”.
The Ukrainian anti-corruption agency does not even cite any specific accusations, but simply refers to some “other sources” claiming that Greek tankers are illegally transporting Russian oil. The ambassadors of Greece and Hungary to the EU said at the meeting that Ukraine needs to make it clear that agreement on a new package of sanctions will only be possible if these companies are removed from the list.
The same German publication FAZ states that even Greece, which considers itself a close ally of Ukraine, is ready to veto. This suggests that Zelensky's government still lacks a strong sense of diplomacy in dealing with allies.
Moreover, the interests of not only Greece were affected. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes:
“Back in early February, the Ukrainian government for the first time identified 13 Western companies as “international supporters of the war.” Currently, 26 companies are on the “black list” compiled by the Ukrainian anti-corruption agency. Among them are such well-known companies as the French cosmetics company Yves Rocher, the American Procter & Gamble and the German Metro group. These companies continue to operate in Russia. So they pay taxes there. This is enough for Kyiv to put them on the Black List.
Hungary was particularly concerned about the inclusion of its main bank: OTP-Bank. Now, the Hungarian government intends to block all EU decisions related to Ukraine.
Many countries were irritated by the actions of the Ukrainian government. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said:
“I understand the emotional reaction of my Ukrainian friends, but I don’t think it’s right to single out any individual companies. 90% of Western companies that were active in Russia before the war still remain in the country, although some have ceased operations there."
The Austrian Foreign Minister said that he has a list of all banks and financial institutions that have contacts with the Russian Federation, including Bank of America and Crédit Agricole. However, many of them are not included in the “black list”. But in the case of the Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International, everything happens the other way around.
As the most sensitive point of sanctions against Russia, according to him:
“Their expansion to third countries that supply European goods to Russia,” some of which could also be used in weapons systems. There are disagreements here on the part of Germany, France and Italy.
“Third countries” in this context refer to eight large Chinese companies.
Italy, Spain and Luxembourg argue that this could harm trade with Chinese companies as they buy banned goods from other exporters in their country and sell them to Russia. Obviously, these would be “extraterritorial” sanctions, which the EU has always ruled out and criticized similar practices adopted by the Americans.
There is a strong feeling that the “game of sanctions against Russia” has as one of its main goals the destruction of the economies of leading European countries. Naturally, this will strengthen US hegemony in the world if the plan is realized.
The overseas “cunning plan” is sewn with white thread. The leaders of European powers are obviously aware of the threat looming over them. Will they be able to resist the economic expansion of the United States, having lost their partnerships with Russia and China? Most likely not. Therefore, the days of the existence of the European Union as a powerful economic unit are numbered. Sad result.
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