France and Germany offered to withdraw sanctions from russian grain

France, Germany and the Netherlands offered to withdraw Russian grain and fertilizers from EU sanctions.

Representatives of Poland and Lithuania, during the discussion of the next package of EU sanctions, opposed the easing of restrictions against Russia. Because of this, the package negotiation process was stopped, reports LRT.lt.

According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielus Landsbergis, France, Germany and the Netherlands proposed to remove Russian fertilizers and grain from the sanctions.

Lithuania opposed it, because the adoption of the EU proposal would provide Russia with a channel to bypass sanctions. In addition, the exceptions proposed by the three states “significantly reduce the value of the ninth package of sanctions,” Landsbergis noted.

He confirmed that Lithuania and Poland have decided to stop discussing new restrictive measures against Russia for the time being. The cessation of discussions was also supported by all the Baltic states. Discussions can resume already in the European Council, with the participation of the heads of state and government of the EU member states.