Itkonen specified she was referring to Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, and Spain.
She said those nations still import Russian gas either by pipeline or as LNG. At the same time, the Commission, according to her, has no data on where the fuel is ultimately used.
“This is important as comes amid growing frustration from US president Donald Trump on this issue as he keeps pressing the EU and Nato countries to completely cease all energy imports from Russia,” the report added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the 19th package of sanctions against Russia earlier on Sept. 19. It includes a ban on imported Russian LNG, lowers the cap on Russian crude oil to $47.60 a barrel, and targets 118 vessels believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.
On Sept. 17, Bloomberg reported that Slovakia and Hungary said they were not ready to cut imports of Russian oil and gas until reliable alternative energy sources become available.