The Daily Populous Thursday July 16th, 2026 evening edition
Authored by newsukraine.rbc.ua and submitted by DizzySleep1

Greece has opposed the European Union’s new package of anti-Russian sanctions due to concerns about the fate of the shipping company Dynagas, which specializes in transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to the Financial Times .

During a meeting of EU ambassadors, a Greek representative stated that the proposed ban on the transport of Russian LNG to third countries could effectively destroy Dynagas’s business. For this very reason, Athens is currently unwilling to support the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

As the FT reports, citing sources, Greece’s objection has already delayed the adoption of the new sanctions package by at least a week. Unanimous support from all EU member states is required for its approval.

In addition to restrictions on Russian LNG, the package includes sanctions against additional Russian banks, cryptocurrency networks, and companies in the military-industrial complex. It also includes a new mechanism to cap the price of Russian oil.

Due to the lack of an agreement, EU countries were forced to temporarily extend the current price cap on Russian oil at $44.10 per barrel. According to European officials, this will buy time for further negotiations and an assessment of the consequences of the new restrictions.

Greek shipping magnate George Prokopiou owns the company. The company operates 27 gas carriers, a significant portion of which are specialized Arc7-class icebreaking tankers. Such vessels are used for operations in the Arctic and to serve the Russian Yamal LNG project.

According to Financial Times estimates, since the beginning of 2025, Dynagas has transported over 10 million metric tons of Russian liquefied natural gas across 11 vessels, completing 144 voyages.

The Greek side claims that it is virtually impossible to redeploy Arc7-class specialized vessels to other routes. If sanctions are imposed, the company may be forced to sell them to buyers outside the West. The cost of a single such tanker is estimated at approximately $300 million.

At the same time, diplomats from other EU countries emphasize that all member states will suffer economic losses due to the sanctions, but consider such measures necessary to increase pressure on Moscow.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas previously expressed regret over the lack of agreement on the 21st sanctions package and stated that Brussels would consider alternative courses of action if a consensus could not be reached.

On July 15, European Union ambassadors once again failed to reach an agreement on adopting the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

Some countries are beginning to set their own conditions for approving the 21st package of sanctions against Moscow.

Chrono_Convoy on July 16th, 2026 at 10:01 UTC »

Article:

Greece has opposed the European Union’s new package of anti-Russian sanctions due to concerns about the fate of the shipping company Dynagas, which specializes in transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to the Financial Times.

During a meeting of EU ambassadors, a Greek representative stated that the proposed ban on the transport of Russian LNG to third countries could effectively destroy Dynagas’s business. For this very reason, Athens is currently unwilling to support the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

As the FT reports, citing sources, Greece’s objection has already delayed the adoption of the new sanctions package by at least a week. Unanimous support from all EU member states is required for its approval.

In addition to restrictions on Russian LNG, the package includes sanctions against additional Russian banks, cryptocurrency networks, and companies in the military-industrial complex. It also includes a new mechanism to cap the price of Russian oil.

Due to the lack of an agreement, EU countries were forced to temporarily extend the current price cap on Russian oil at $44.10 per barrel. According to European officials, this will buy time for further negotiations and an assessment of the consequences of the new restrictions.

Who owns Dynagas

Greek shipping magnate George Prokopiou owns the company. The company operates 27 gas carriers, a significant portion of which are specialized Arc7-class icebreaking tankers. Such vessels are used for operations in the Arctic and to serve the Russian Yamal LNG project.

According to Financial Times estimates, since the beginning of 2025, Dynagas has transported over 10 million metric tons of Russian liquefied natural gas across 11 vessels, completing 144 voyages.

The Greek side claims that it is virtually impossible to redeploy Arc7-class specialized vessels to other routes. If sanctions are imposed, the company may be forced to sell them to buyers outside the West. The cost of a single such tanker is estimated at approximately $300 million.

At the same time, diplomats from other EU countries emphasize that all member states will suffer economic losses due to the sanctions, but consider such measures necessary to increase pressure on Moscow.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas previously expressed regret over the lack of agreement on the 21st sanctions package and stated that Brussels would consider alternative courses of action if a consensus could not be reached.

Even-Analysis8223 on July 16th, 2026 at 09:55 UTC »

well well well the phantom ships trade with russia finally showing results

LawEducational42-new on July 16th, 2026 at 09:41 UTC »

"Everyone agree?" Greece: "Actually..."