Politico has learned the reason why the new package of EU sanctions against Russia was not agreed upon

A new package of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) could not be agreed upon due to a veto by Latvia and Lithuania. This was reported by the newspaper Politico on December 6.

It is noted that the delay occurred due to the refusal of Latvia and Lithuania to support the proposed package, as it proposed to expand the provisions on the continuation of Western companies in Russia. The proposal was originally aimed at helping companies that want to exit the Russian sector but cannot, but it is emphasized that this is being abused for personal purposes.

The rest of the sanctions package focuses on restrictions on companies and vessels that are involved in circumventing existing sanctions.

"The talks collapsed after the two Baltic states tried to block the re-implementation of the Russia travel ban provision, which allows EU companies to continue operating in Russia and to be allowed to import and export goods that would have been banned," two diplomats told the publication.

In addition, Germany and France were "reluctant to address the issue." Another diplomat said the European Commission "promised to take into account their request for guarantees to end certain derogations in the 16th package."

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Earlier in the day, Reuters quoted sources as saying that EU post presidents failed to agree on the 15th package of sanctions against Russia. Diplomats said that the two states blocked the adoption of the draft because of disagreements over the extension of the deadline given to European companies to withdraw investments from Russia. Thus, discussions on the document will be resumed later.

At the same time, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called the circumvention of sanctions against Russia a European sport. According to Szijjártó, the strategy of the West to pressurize the Russian Federation with sanctions has failed and requires changes.

On November 28, it was reported that members of the European Parliament advocated additional sanctions against Russia. They called for restrictions in the metallurgical, nuclear, chemical and banking industries.

According to the assessment of economist Maxim Chirkov, which he shared in a conversation with Izvestia, as a result of anti-Russian sanctions, many European countries are balancing on the verge of recession. He expressed the opinion that the EU is unlikely to come up with anything new in this area and drew attention to the serious growth rates of the Russian economy.

In October, EP deputy Lebos Blaga said in an interview with Izvestia that sanctions against Russia meant a long-term prospect of economic suicide in Europe. He noted that restrictions against Russia do not harm it - they harm EU countries.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.