The 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia is “sliding”: what is known

This was reported by several diplomats familiar with the course of the discussion.

The Coreper meeting has ended, and the 18th package of sanctions against Russia was again not approved. Two states continue to block the package, and discussions with them are ongoing.

Diplomats reported that Slovakia and Malta continue to refuse to approve the specified package of sanctions against Russia.

Discussion of sanctions against the Russian Federation and the 18th package will be included in the agenda of the EU Council meeting on General Affairs on July 18, another diplomat said.

As a reminder, the 18th package of sanctions against Russia was one of the key topics of the EU Council meeting on Foreign Affairs on July 15. The EU's top diplomat, Kaia Kallas, said that the countries were "very close" to an agreement and expressed hope that a decision would be made "as early as today."

Malta, as far as is known, has its reservations about lowering the "price ceiling" on Russian oil.