The European Union has approved its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, marking a significant continuation of measures enacted in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Member states reached agreement on the new measures on Friday, following a shift in position from the Slovakian government.
Previously, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico had been blocking the adoption of the sanctions. He had sought an exemption allowing Slovakia to maintain a contract with Russian state energy company Gazprom for natural gas deliveries until 2034. This change in stance ultimately paved the way for the package’s approval.
The new sanctions, initially proposed by the European Commission in June, aim to accelerate the phasing out of Russian gas imports, with a complete cessation targeted by January 1, 2028. Beyond energy exports, the measures are also intended to impact Russian banks and the country’s defense industry. The comprehensive action maintains the EU’s commitment to restricting Russia’s economic capabilities in light of the ongoing situation.