The adoption of the 18th package of European Union sanctions against the Russian Federation is currently on hold due to the positions of Slovakia and Hungary. Both countries have refused to approve the new restrictive measures until the European Council meeting takes place, where sanctions policy is to be discussed at the level of national leaders, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to EU diplomats.
This information was confirmed by one of the sources who requested anonymity. According to the source, it was the delegations of Hungary and Slovakia that opposed the approval of the package at the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), held on June 23 in Brussels. He clarified that the blockage will remain at least until the EU leaders’ summit scheduled for June 26.
Another insider revealed that during the June 23 meeting, the European Commission presented diplomats with the latest draft of the 18th sanctions package, which still includes proposals to lower the price cap on Russian oil.
According to a European diplomat, member states remain divided on this issue. Some delegations favor retaining the current price ceiling, considering the state of the global oil market, while others insist on reducing it. Nonetheless, as the source noted, a compromise is close.
The EU representative expressed cautious optimism about further negotiations and did not rule out that the sanctions package text may be finalized and presented again at the Coreper meeting on Friday, June 27.
Earlier we wrote that EU prepares statement on Ukraine’s accession progress without Hungary’s signature.