The 18th package of sanctions against Russia is on its way. This is what EU President Antonio Costa said at a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is also attending the press conference, said she hopes the G7 countries will follow suit.
On Monday, Hungary and Slovakia announced that the countries intend not to support the sanctions package, which must be adopted unanimously by EU member states. According to the Commission President, the EU must adopt the 18th package of sanctions to force Russia to the negotiating table.
- We will have to put pressure on Putin. That is why the 18th package of sanctions is one that bites, says Ursula von der Leyen.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is also attending the meeting.
- You are here among friends. We have stood by Ukraine from day one, Ursula von der Leyen tells the Ukrainian president.
The G7 countries are the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom. G7 is an abbreviation for "The Group of Seven".
Sanctions package targeting the energy sector
The 18th sanctions package against Russia targets Russian earnings in the energy sector, Russian banks and the Russian military industry.
The proposal includes restricting companies connected to the two Nord Stream gas pipelines and lowering the oil price ceiling. Hungary and Slovakia risk blocking the sanctions package.
According to Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, the countries' decision to stand in the way is due to the EU Commission's plans to ban imports of Russian gas from 2028. The countries oppose this plan because they believe that phasing out Russian energy will be too expensive for their populations.
Ursula von der Leyen said earlier in June that she hoped that the EU and the US could work together to impose sanctions against Russia. According to von der Leyen, this will further increase the pressure on Russia.
Antonio Costa says he is deeply disappointed that Russia does not want to enter into negotiations.
- While President Zelensky has already agreed to a ceasefire, Russia is increasing the intensity of its attacks, Costa says at the press conference.
/ritzau/
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