EU fails to approve new Russia sanctions, ball now in Slovakia’s court, says EU foreign chief
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European Union foreign chief Kaja Kallas hopes a deal on the 18th Russia sanctions package will be reached on July 16.
PHOTO: EPA
- EU's Kaja Kallas expressed sadness as the 18th Russia sanctions package failed to pass on July 15 due to member state reservations.
- Slovakia is blocking the package, concerned about a separate EU proposal to phase out Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028.
- The proposed sanctions target Russia's energy revenue, banks, and military industry, including a floating price cap on Russian oil.
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BRUSSELS – The European Union did not approve the 18th Russia sanctions package on July 15, EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas said after a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
She said she was “really sad” the sanctions were not approved, but was hopeful that a deal would be reached on July 16, adding that the ball is in Slovakia’s court.
Slovakia has been blocking the EU’s latest sanctions package until its concerns are addressed over a separate EU proposal to phase out imports of Russian gas by Jan 1, 2028.
Sources told Reuters on July 14 that all elements of the package had been agreed on, although one member state still had a reservation about a proposed lower price cap on Russian oil.
The European Commission in June proposed the 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, aimed at Moscow’s energy revenue, its banks and its military industry.
The new package proposes banning transactions with Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipelines, as well as banks that engage in sanctions circumvention.
It also proposes a floating price cap on Russian oil of 15 per cent below the average market price of crude in the previous three months, EU diplomats have said. REUTERS
