Slovakia blocks extension of EU individual sanctions against Russians

Slovakia has for the second time blocked agreement on extending the European Union’s individual sanctions against Russians for violations of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

This was reported by Yevropeyska Pravda, citing diplomatic sources.

The matter was discussed at a meeting of Coreper — the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU. According to one of the diplomats, the talks produced no result.

“Today Coreper discussed the extension of the sanctions regime against individuals and companies responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. However, no agreement was reached,” one of the diplomats stated.

Bratislava remains the only country insisting on a six-month extension of the sanctions rather than the proposed one-year term. In addition, the Slovak side is demanding that several individuals be removed from the current sanctions list, though the diplomats are not disclosing their names.

Despite Slovakia’s position, the remaining EU countries still intend to reach a compromise before September 15 — the date on which the current sanctions regime expires.

Earlier, media reported that the EU is considering tightening restrictions on Russian citizens and vessels transporting Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions. This possibility is being discussed following Germany’s accusation that Moscow was behind a failed drone attack on an airport in Leipzig.

It was also reported that the European Union is working on a new sanctions list that is planned to include more than 1,600 individuals and legal entities linked to the Russian military-industrial complex.