Gas equipment. File photoMOSCOW, Jan 28The European Union and the UK are developing sanctions against new Russian projects in the gas sector, which will be introduced in the event of an escalation around Ukraine, the Financial Times newspaper writes, citing informed sources. According to the publication, the «gas» package of sanctions is being developed with the support of the United States. The purpose of these measures is to «hard limit» financial and technological injections related to Russian initiatives in the industry.Russia hoped that the EU would not «shoot itself in the foot» on the gas issue. As the material notes, Europe's willingness to strike at the vast Russian hydrocarbon industry could affect European companies themselves, including BP, Total and Shell, which invest in the Russian gas sector. Earlier, European officials announced possible restrictions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the event of an escalation of the situation on the border with Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations of the West and Ukraine of «aggressive actions», saying that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone , and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to deploy more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that Western statements about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. At the same time, Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in «aggressive actions» sides of Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not bother anyone.
