EU ambassadors fail to agree on 18th sanctions package against Russia
EU fails to agree on sanctions against Russia (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
EU ambassadors on Wednesday, June 16, failed to agree on a new sanctions package against Russia. They are expected to reconvene by the end of the week, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent Rikard Jozwiak reports.
"No 'green light' today on Russia sanctions during the debate with ambassadors. They may return to the issue on Friday," Jozwiak wrote.
He added that the EU ambassadors will meet on Friday, July 18, to discuss the anti-Russian sanctions again.
Who is blocking sanctions against Russia
Slovakia vetoed the 18th sanctions package against Russia over plans for the EU to phase out Russian gas and oil by 2028. Bratislava fears this move would trigger a sharp rise in energy prices.
On July 15, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said the European Commission had offered him guarantees in exchange for his support of the sanctions. Reuters reported that these guarantees would include an "emergency brake" mechanism to curb price spikes during the gas phase‑out.
It remains unclear whether Bratislava will accept these terms.
Meanwhile, on July 14, Politico reported that Malta also began blocking the 18th sanctions package against Russia.
