The EU may postpone the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia

The European Union may postpone the approval of the 21st package of sanctions against Russia until the fall if member states do not reach an agreement this week.

At the same time, a decision to lower the price cap on Russian oil is planned to be adopted separately as a standalone sanction measure. It is expected that this issue could be considered as early as July 14.

On July 8 and 10, at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), member states are expected to reach an agreement on the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia—otherwise, its approval may be postponed until September, and the “price cap” on Russian oil will be kept separate from the sanctions packages.

According to “European Truth,” the Irish presidency remains firmly committed to finalizing the 21st sanctions package at the meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) on Wednesday, July 8, and on Friday, July 10—and adopted on Monday, July 13, during the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

However, several EU diplomats and European officials interviewed by a “European Truth” correspondent have a more skeptical outlook.

“If it doesn’t look like we’re getting close to an agreement on Wednesday, then we’ll simply have to resort to ‘Plan B.’ That means separately approving the price cap on Russian oil on July 14. And the 21st sanctions package can be prepared for approval after the summer break,” one of “European Truth’s” sources clarified.

A “European Truth” correspondent in Brussels learned this from her own sources within the EU.