European Union sanctions against Russia were delayed by Slovakia

The European Union failed to pass the eighteenth sanctions package against Russia on Tuesday, as the resistance from Slovakia concluded the deal, according to the head of the European Union’s foreign policy, Kaja Callas.

Also read: Trump sets a 50 -day final for Russia, threatens sanctions on the oil buyers

Speaking after a meeting of the European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, Callas expressed his disappointment, but he remained optimistic about the possibility of reaching the decision soon. She said: “I am really sad that it has not been approved today, but I hope we can finish the package tomorrow. The ball is now at the Slovakia Stadium.”

Bratislava is complicating the sanctions due to its concerns about a separate proposal for the European Union to gradually dispose of Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028. The sources told Reuters that most of the sanctions package was agreed, and according to what was reported, a member state in the last minute has filed objections to the proposed reduction in the maximum oil price.

The new sanctions package targets the main sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, banking services and the military industrial complex. It includes a proposed prohibition on financial transactions associated with Nord Stream Gas pipelines and banks suspected of helping Russia to circumvent the current sanctions.

The central advantage of the package is the maximum floating prices on Russian crude oil – 15 % less than the average global price over the past three months – in an attempt to pressure energy revenues in Moscow without leading to global trauma in the offer.

The European Commission presented the eighteenth sanctions round last month, which increased the pressure on Russia due to its continuous invasion of Ukraine. But the proposal now depends on the European Union’s internal negotiations, with Slovakia’s opposition to shedding light on the political challenges of maintaining unity on the long -term energy policy.

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