Greece's Ukraine aid faces shipping sanctions hurdle
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Greece is pushing back against proposed EU sanctions that would ban its ships from carrying Russian LNG to third parties, arguing the measure would disproportionately hurt its shipping industry, which controls 60% of the EU fleet. The dispute comes weeks after Greece and Ukraine resolved a separate row over a Ukrainian naval drone found near a Greek island. The European Commission is now trying to revise the sanctions package after objections from Greece and other EU members.
The Sanctions Dispute
The European Commission is working to reconfigure a 21st sanctions package against Russia after its original proposal failed last week due to objections from Greece and other EU members. The proposed measures would prevent EU shipping from carrying Russian liquefied natural gas to third parties, even though the EU itself increased its imports of Russian LNG by 11% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Greece argues that as owner of 60% of the EU fleet, its shipping would be disproportionately penalized.
The Drone Incident
In May, a fisherman discovered a Ukrainian explosives-laden naval drone in an inlet on the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. Ukraine has used such drones to attack tankers of the Russian shadow fleet. A senior Greek government official expressed concern about a possible oil spill and the danger of high explosives, saying, 'We don't want Greece to be a theatre of war operations.' Greek officials say Ukraine has since apologized and promised to be more careful.
Reconstruction Efforts
Despite tensions, Greece signed its first memorandum on Ukraine's reconstruction last month, and the two sides are moving toward an intergovernmental agreement. Greek companies have undertaken at least four projects to rebuild hydroelectric power stations and other infrastructure destroyed in the war, funded by Greek taxpayers, the EU, and private investment. Deputy Foreign Minister Haris Theoharis noted that a year ago there was nothing, but now Ukraine's deputy minister said she has 'never worked with another country that moved as fast as we did.'
What's Next
The European Commission is expected to present a revised sanctions proposal in the coming weeks. It remains unclear whether Greece will accept the new terms or continue to block the package, potentially delaying the EU's 21st round of sanctions against Russia.
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Greece's Ukraine aid faces shipping sanctions hurdle
