Overview

• Slovakia blocked the 18th sanctions package to secure guarantees of compensation for potential economic losses from an EU ban on Russian gas imports.
• Malta raised formal objections over proposed measures to curb Russia’s oil export revenues, warning of disproportionate harm to its domestic shipping sector.
• The European Commission asserts it met Slovakia’s demands, but Prime Minister Robert Fico continues to seek a gas supply exemption through 2034.
• The stalled package would impose a transaction ban on the inactive Nordstream pipelines, tighten price caps on Russian oil and target Russia’s financial sector.
• Kaja Kallas expressed disappointment at the impasse and urged EU foreign ministers to meet again immediately to resolve the unanimous approval requirement.