EU fails to agree on new sanctions against Russia: What stood in way
Photo: European Union flags in Brussels (Getty Images)
The EU failed to approve its 21st sanctions package against Russia during a meeting of the bloc's permanent representatives on July 15. The price cap mechanism for Russian oil is also set to expire on the same day, according to Rikard Jozwiak, Europe editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, on Twitter (X).
EU fails to agree on new sanctions against Russia
EU ambassadors once again failed to reach an agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Jozwiak said that there was still no agreement on the sanctions package and that negotiations would continue next week. He added that member states had agreed to keep the price cap on Russian oil at $44 per barrel at least until July 23.
The extension is intended to provide additional time to assess the economic and technical implications of the measures proposed in the 21st sanctions package.
Protection for Ukrainian refugees in the EU
Jozwiak also said that EU ambassadors had agreed to extend temporary protection status for Ukrainian citizens in the bloc until March 2028.
What the EU's 21st sanctions package proposes
The 21st sanctions package proposed by the European Commission includes:
- Further restrictions on Russia's energy and financial sectors,
- An EU travel ban on Russian military personnel,
- Maintaining a price cap on Russian oil.
The European Commission presented the 21st sanctions package to EU member states for discussion on June 9.
As previously reported, Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill was once again left off the EU sanctions list, with Bulgaria's position reportedly playing a role in the decision.
The European Union continues to discuss the 21st sanctions package against Russia, although some member states have begun putting forward their own tough conditions.
