Greece vetoed the 21st package of European Union sanctions against Russia, forcing Brussels to rethink its approach. The move, aimed at protecting Greek shipping firms from further restrictions, has accelerated a shift toward more targeted measures that could reduce the veto power of individual member states.
Why Greece Vetoed the Package
Greek shipping companies have long been among the largest carriers of Russian oil and gas, even after earlier EU rounds imposed price caps and export bans. The 21st package included provisions that would have tightened enforcement on maritime transport, potentially hitting Greek-owned vessels that operate under flags of convenience. Athens argued the measures would unfairly penalize its shipping sector without significantly reducing Russia's revenue.
The veto came after weeks of negotiations in Brussels. Other member states had hoped to pass the package before the end of the year, but Greece held firm. The result: the entire sanctions round was blocked, not just the shipping-related clauses.
The EU's New Targeted Approach
In response, the European Commission and the bloc's foreign policy arm are now designing a new sanctions strategy. Instead of broad, consensus-based packages that require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, the EU plans to introduce more narrowly focused measures. These would target specific individuals, companies, or sectors — and would be adopted by a qualified majority vote, bypassing the need for unanimity.
That change is significant. Under the current rules, any single country can veto an entire sanctions package. The new approach would allow the EU to move faster on measures that have broad support, while leaving the most contentious items for separate, unanimous votes. Officials say this could prevent one country from holding the entire package hostage.
Exceptions Still Possible
Despite the shift, influential states may still be able to negotiate exceptions. The facts note that even under the new system, larger economies like Germany or France could demand carve-outs for their industries before agreeing to targeted measures. Smaller countries like Greece or Hungary might also secure special treatment for sectors they consider vital.
That means the new strategy is not a clean break from the old one. It's more of a workaround — a way to keep sanctions flowing while acknowledging that some member states will always have red lines. The question is whether the exceptions will be narrow enough to maintain the overall pressure on Moscow.
What Comes Next
The European Commission is expected to present the first batch of targeted sanctions in the coming weeks. Those will likely focus on Russian energy exports and dual-use technology, areas where there is already broad agreement. Shipping-related measures, the ones that triggered the Greek veto, will be held back for a later round — or possibly dropped altogether.
EU diplomats are also discussing how to handle future vetoes. One idea: create a fast-track mechanism for sanctions that have support from at least 20 member states. Another: allow countries that object to opt out of a specific measure rather than block it for everyone. Neither option has been formally proposed yet.
For now, the 21st package remains stalled. Greece has not indicated whether it will lift its veto, and no new negotiations are scheduled. The EU's ability to maintain a united front on Russia sanctions — a cornerstone of its response to the war — now depends on a strategy that hasn't been tested.
