Slovakia halts EU's latest Russia sanctions over gas concerns
The European Union did not approve its 18th package of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, Kaja Kallas, the bloc's foreign policy chief, said after a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Kallas said she was "very sad" that the sanctions were not approved, but hoped an agreement would be reached on Wednesday, adding that the ball is now in Slovakia's court, Reuters reported.
"I am very sad that we didn't reach this agreement today. I must say we were very close to appeasing Slovakia. The Commission offered what they asked for. Now the ball is in Slovakia's court, and we must finalize this agreement. It's already been two months. Tomorrow, there will also be technical discussions. So, yes. I am optimistic and still hope we will reach a decision tomorrow," Kaja Kallas said.
Slovakia blocked the EU's latest sanctions package until its concerns over a separate EU proposal to gradually phase out Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028, are resolved.
Sources told Reuters on Monday that all elements of the package had been agreed upon, although one member state still had reservations about a proposal for a lower price cap on Russian oil.
Last month, the European Commission proposed the 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, targeting Moscow's energy revenues, banks, and military industry.
The new package proposes banning transactions with Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines and with banks involved in circumventing sanctions.
It also proposes a floating price cap for Russian oil, set at 15% below the average market price of crude oil over the past three months, according to EU diplomats.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
