Politico Learns of New Obstacle to EU Sanctions Against Russia

A new obstacle has emerged on the way to the adoption of a new package of sanctions by the European Union ( EU ) against Russia: Malta, which has spoken out against limiting the price ceiling for the purchase of Russian energy resources, Politico reports, citing a European diplomat.

According to the source, Malta presented its objections at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Council of the EU (COREPER), which took place on July 13. The EU initiative envisages that within the framework of the 18th package of sanctions, the maximum price for the EXPORT of Russian energy resources will be set at 15% below market prices based on the average value over ten weeks, wroteBLOOMBERG . The current price ceiling is $60 per barrel.

At the same time, Slovakia, which has long blocked anti-Russian restrictions, expressed its readiness to approve the sanctions , Politico notes. The republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico admitted that he could finally express solidarity with other EU countries if they agree to soften the consequences of the proposed ban on Russian gas supplies. “We want to resolve this issue by Tuesday [July 15], because tensions are growing on all sides,” he said.

According to Bloomberg, the obstacle to agreeing on a new approach to the price ceiling for RussianNot only Malta, but also Greece and Cyprus became oil producers . At the same time, the agency noted that all three countries are open to discussing the problem.

The G7 countries introduced a price ceiling on Russian oil in December 2022. In February 2023, restrictions on petroleum products came into effect: $100 per barrel for diesel fuel (since it is sold at a premium compared to crude oil) and $45 per barrel for fuel oil, which is sold at a discount.

In response, Russia banned the export of oil and petroleum products under contracts whose terms follow the oil price ceiling. President Vladimir Putin last extended the ban in June 2025 until the end of the year.

Russia considers any restrictions imposed by Western countries to be illegal and insists on their abolition. In response to threats of sanctions, the Kremlin said that the "language of ultimatums" is unacceptable for Moscow.

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