EU member states failed to agree on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia after Slovakia and Austria blocked the proposal, according to Euronews. The new measures target Russian liquefied natural gas, oil infrastructure, shadow tanker fleets, cryptocurrency platforms, and the movement of Russian diplomats in the EU. Prime Minister Robert Fico said Slovakia will not back further sanctions until the European Council addresses the energy crisis and challenges facing the car industry, which he says threaten Europe’s competitiveness. Meanwhile, Austria is demanding that frozen assets of Russia’s Rasperia Trading be released so it can pay €2.1 billion in damages to Raiffeisen Bank. Other EU states fear this could set a precedent. Both governments insist they remain committed to supporting Ukraine.
Source: TASR
