Russia sanctions hang in balance as EU ambassadors fail to reach deal

EU ambassadors have postponed a decision on extending individual sanctions against more than 3,000 Russian individuals and entities accused of undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

The EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) failed to reach an agreement on the extension during a meeting on September 2. The issue is now expected to be revisited on September 9, European Pravda reports, citing sources in Brussels.

The current sanctions are set to expire on September 15. According to one source, discussions ended with an agreement to return to the matter next week.

Slovakia’s position emerged as the main sticking point. Bratislava rejected a proposal by the Irish EU Council presidency to extend the measures for another year, instead calling for the bloc to retain its customary six-month renewal period.

According to a separate source cited by the publication, Slovakia has also proposed removing several Russian individuals from the sanctions list. The names of those individuals have not been disclosed.

The delay comes less than two weeks before the sanctions are due to expire, leaving EU member states with limited time to reach a consensus.

By Vafa Guliyeva