EU Ambassadors to Review 18th Sanctions Package Against Russia on Wednesday

On 9 July, the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) will once again consider the draft of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia in Brussels, but Slovakia's position on blocking it has not changed.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to European Pravda.

Officials familiar with the issue said that EU ambassadors will discuss the 18th package of sanctions against Russia on 9 July and will try to persuade Slovakia to lift its veto.

‘The discussion of the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation is on the Coreper agenda for tomorrow (9 July. – Ed.). But I cannot predict whether it will be approved or whether it will continue to be blocked by Slovakia,’ an informed EU official told European Pravda.

He added that ‘there is hope for a positive decision tomorrow or this week.’

However, sources in the Slovak government assure that the situation remains ‘the same as it was last Friday’ when the sanctions package was not approved.

"As of now, Slovakia's position has not changed. Slovakia is blocking the 18th package of sanctions against Russia until it receives clear guarantees from the European Commission regarding compensation for losses that will be caused by the EU's planned complete refusal to purchase Russian gas (from 1 January 2028. – Ed.)," a source said.

However, when asked whether Slovakia's position could change tomorrow, he replied laconically: ‘Anything is possible.’

Earlier, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that this week, EU countries must reach an agreement on the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia.

The 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia was again submitted for consideration during a meeting of Coreper in Brussels on 4 July, but was not adopted due to Slovakia's position.

Slovakia is blocking the sanctions in order to obtain guarantees from the European Commission regarding the consequences of completely abandoning Russian gas from 2028.

Earlier, the media predicted that Slovakia would unblock the 18th package of sanctions after successful negotiations with the European Commission on 3 July in Bratislava.