EU's 20th Russia sanctions package in jeopardy, as diplomats fail to agree

The EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) failed to agree on the details of the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia on 20 February, jeopardising its adoption ahead of the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

EU member-state ambassadors in Brussels failed to reach a provisional agreement on the content of the new 20th sanctions package against Russia, which is due to be adopted on 23 February.

One diplomat said to a European Pravda correspondent on condition of anonymity that the Coreper meeting on Friday morning ended without an agreement on the package, adding that the date of the next meeting had not yet been confirmed.

Another European Pravda source said the main sticking point remains a proposal for a total ban on maritime services for Russian tankers.

The proposal targets tankers transporting Russian oil along Europe's coastline, barring European companies from providing any services, including access to ports, insurance, food supplies and refuelling.

Some EU member states, particularly maritime nations Greece and Malta, have raised reservations about the measure.

According to another European Pravda source, the maritime services ban could be dropped from the 20th sanctions package, or its adoption could be postponed.

The diplomat said some member states think it is better to have a more substantive package than a faster one.

The next Coreper meeting is currently scheduled for 25 February. However, all European Pravda sources predict that EU ambassadors could convene an extraordinary meeting over the weekend to agree on the main points of the package ahead of formal approval by foreign ministers on 23 February, when the EU Foreign Affairs Council meets in Brussels.

Bloomberg, citing sources, reported earlier that Greece and Malta have become the main obstacle to the EU's proposal to replace the price cap on Russian oil with a ban on services necessary for transporting the fuel.

Bloomberg also reported that the European Commission's proposal to include foreign ports and banks that Russia uses to illicitly sell oil encountered resistance from Hungary, Spain and Italy.

Politico reported that Hungary's position on Russian sports officials could delay the adoption of the EU's next sanctions package against Moscow.

Nonetheless, on 20 February, Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the EU plans to approve the 20th sanctions package against Russia on 23 February.