EU Aims to Finalize Expanded 18th Sanctions Package on Russia and Belarus This Week
The European Commission is preparing to update its proposed 18th package of sanctions against Russia with additional measures targeting Belarus and software used by Russian financial institutions.
The revised draft is expected to be completed by the end of this week, according to European Pravda, citing several EU diplomats familiar with internal discussions.
Diplomatic sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Commission presented targeted amendments during a June 16 meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper).
These include sanctions on software critical to Russia’s financial sector, as well as new restrictive measures aimed at Belarus.
Additional proposals from EU member states are also under review. These include efforts to strengthen anti-circumvention mechanisms, impose restrictions on Russian cryptocurrency operations, and introduce new limits on the movement of Russian diplomats within the EU.
While several officials described the negotiations as “advanced,” they stressed that a number of technical hurdles remain.
“There’s political will, but we are still far from operational consensus,” a second diplomat said, downplaying the possibility of final adoption these days.
Hungary and Slovakia continue to raise objections, particularly around energy-related provisions.
Both countries have warned against endorsing any measures that would exacerbate energy insecurity in Central Europe, especially in the absence of viable alternatives to Russian gas.
Energy supply concerns were “widely raised” during Monday’s session, though sources stopped short of confirming any formal threats to block the package.
A central sticking point remains the proposal to lower the G7-imposed price cap on Russian oil exports from $60 to $45 per barrel.
While the Commission supports the move in principle, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has acknowledged that unilateral EU action is unlikely and that consensus with G7 partners will be essential.
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