–We were very close to convincing Slovakia, but now the ball is in their court, notes Kallas after Tuesday's meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
The 18th package has stalled due to Slovakia's opposition to the EU Commission's plans to phase out all imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027. Prime Minister Robert Fico has indicated that an agreement may be on the way, but still demands additional Commission guarantees to Slovakia.
The sanctions package includes, among other things, measures against even more vessels believed to be part of the "shadow fleet" that Russia uses to circumvent previous sanctions.
Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (The Moderate Party) welcomes, in parallel, the USA's new military support to Ukraine and economic threats against Russia.
–It is extremely welcome. We need a USA that is engaged on Ukraine's side, says Malmer Stenergard to TT.
