FT: EU to let Greek company keep shipping Russian gas to win approval for new sanctions package
Greek shipping company Dynagas will be allowed to keep transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) despite European Union sanctions, the Financial Times reported, citing European diplomats.
The decision, which still needs approval from EU ambassadors, would let European companies continue shipping Russian LNG to third countries for 12 months — a period that could be extended.
The European Union unveiled its 21st sanctions package against Russia back in June, and it was meant to include a ban on shipping Russian LNG to third countries. EU member states, however, have yet to finalize it.
Greece came out against the LNG shipping ban on July 15, blocking approval of the sanctions package in an effort to protect Dynagas, which is owned by Greek billionaire George Prokopiou. According to the FT, a representative from Athens told EU colleagues directly that a ban on transiting Russian LNG would effectively ruin the company.
Dynagas operates 27 LNG carriers, including vessels built to meet safety requirements for operating in the icy Arctic waters near the Yamal LNG plant. Since the start of 2025, the company has transported more than 10 million tons of Russian LNG aboard 11 vessels, completing 144 voyages during that time.
At Meduza, we are committed to transparency about our use of artificial intelligence in the newsroom. The story you’re reading was written by one of our living, breathing journalists and translated from Russian using an AI model configured to follow our strict editorial standards. This translation process is the result of extensive testing and refinements to ensure our English-language coverage is timely and accurate. A Meduza editor reviews every draft before publication.
If you find any errors in this translation, please contact us at reports@meduza.io.
To read Meduza’s exclusive content in English, please subscribe to our newsletter.