The EU sanctions the Russian ghost fleet and closes the gap on the Nord Stream gas pipelines.
Member states approve the 18th package, which limits the price of Russian oil to 60 euros a barrel.
BrusselsNew European Union sanctions against Russia. Member states agreed this Friday on the 18th package of restrictions after Slovakia lifted its veto to further punish the Russian energy and financial sectors. "The EU has approved one of the strongest sanctions packages against Russia," tweeted Estonian European Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas.
One of the main sanctions is the reduction of the Russian oil price cap to 60 euros per barrel and the guarantee against the reuse of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which connect Russia with the rest of Europe and are now decommissioned. In addition, the European bloc is extending the ban on financial transactions with 22 other Russian banks and also with third-country operators that finance trade with Russia. Furthermore, the ban on technological elements and products in Russia that could be used, for example, to manufacture drones is being extended.
On the other hand, the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia expands the list of the so-called ghost ships Russians, Vessels used to transport fossil fuels while avoiding European sanctions. Specifically, they will add another 105 to the list, and in total, the European Union will now have around 400 Russian vessels of this type under scrutiny.
Exceptions for Slovakia
Hungary is typically the only country blocking any initiative against Vladimir Putin's regime, but Slovakia is increasingly obstructing the situation. It vetoed the 17th package of sanctions against Russia for weeks and has done so again with the 18th. This stance is due to Slovakia's dependence on Russian gas and, above all, the pro-Russian drift of its Prime Minister, Robert Fico.
Finally, however, Fico has stopped obstructing the 18th sanctions package, which requires unanimity for approval, and has given its approval in exchange for exceptions agreed with Brussels, as Fico himself announced this Thursday. Thus, Slovakia will be able to continue purchasing important Russian gas even when the total ban on purchasing fossil fuels from Russia in 2028, which the EU has already approved, comes into force.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom announced this Friday that it will also sanction three other units of the Russian intelligence agency and 18 military personnel from the Russian intelligence services. In a statement, London explains that they have taken this decision due to the spies and cyberattacks against the United Kingdom launched by Russian forces.