The media found out the reason for the inability to agree on the 18th package of EU anti-Russian sanctions

The European Union (EU) cannot agree on the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions due to Malta's refusal to support the restrictions. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on July 14, citing European diplomats.

"Since then, a new obstacle has emerged — Malta. According to the EU diplomat, during the meeting on Sunday, objections were raised to the European Commission's proposal to set maximum prices for Russian energy exports at 15 percent of the market price," the newspaper said.

It is clarified that such a statement was made as a result of the intentions of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to support a new package of EU sanctions against Russia on July 15, when EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels. According to the newspaper, this will become possible if the EU "softens" the consequences of the proposed ban on Russian gas supplies.

On July 13, the Reuters news agency reported that the EU permanent representatives could agree on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia as early as July 14. At the same time, Slovakia, which had previously delayed the approval and adoption of sanctions, still expresses doubts about the plan to phase out Russian gas supplies, but accepted the conditions that were put forward.

Counter act: Russia will respond to the 18th package of EU sanctions

How can the Russian Federation react and how much will the European Union lose from the new restrictions

The Politico newspaper reported on June 30 that the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia in the European Union was postponed due to disagreements with a number of countries. In turn, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stressed on June 26 that restrictions against the Russian Federation do not work, and the sanctions policy makes sense precisely when it really has an impact.