Bloomberg learned about the proposal of the EC to ease sanctions against Russian coal

The European Commission is considering the introduction of amendments that will allow the transport of Russian coal to ensure energy security in the world. Poland and the Baltic States oppose and urge not to ease anti-Russian sanctions

The European Commission intends to update the guidance on the application of anti-Russian sanctions, adding to the document provisions clarifying restrictions on Russian coal, BLOOMBERG reports.

The agency refers to a document under consideration that states that the EC is proposing to allow the transport of certain products "with a view to ensuring food and energy security throughout the world." According to Bloomberg, we are talking about Russian coal and related products. Earlier, the EC said that EU sanctions prohibit European operators from transporting Russian coal and providing insurance services for such cargoes.

“The EU is committed to ensuring that sanctions do not have an undue impact on trade in critical commodities with third countries,” said EC spokesman Daniel Ferry, adding that the clarification applies to agri-food products (including chemicals used to make fertilizers) and specific essential goods.

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According to the agency, a number of EU states, including Poland and the Baltic countries, opposed the new instructions of the European Commission. At a meeting of EU ministers, they criticized the document and called for its publication to be postponed until the issue was considered. Warsaw, Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius believe that the amendments proposed in it soften the sanctions regime against Russia.

In response to the Russian military operation in Ukraine, the EU has imposed several rounds of tough sanctions against Moscow. As part of the fifth package, Brussels banned the purchase, import or transit of Russian coal and other solid fossil fuels. The measure came into force in August, before that the parties could fulfill contracts concluded before April 9. The EU explained that the sanctions also include a ban on insurance.

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Shortly thereafter, Bloomberg sources reported that due to the EU ban on servicing the transportation of this raw material, Russian coal exports were suspended not only to Europe, but also to other countries, supplies to which were insured by European companies. Deputy HEAD of the Ministry of Energy Sergey Mochalnikov confirmed to RBC TV that Russian manufacturers have encountered problems with exports due to the refusal of European insurers to work with them around the world.

As industry agencies reported, after the EU embargo was announced, Russia redirected coal supplies to other countries: India and Turkey became one of its largest buyers. For example, according to Kpler, in June, deliveries to India increased 1.7 times compared to last year, to 1.16 million tons. According to the UN foreign trade base Comtrade, in the first month of summer, coal imports from Russia to Turkey increased by 5 % by June 2021, up to 1.73 million tons.

At the same time, Japan and SOUTH KOREA refused to purchase coal from Russia, Anna Tsivileva, chairman of the board of directors of the Kolmar coal mining company, said in early September.