**Estonia Threatens to Veto EU’s 18th Sanctions Package Over Russian Oil Price Cap**
The European Union is facing a major hurdle in passing its 18th sanctions package against Moscow, with Estonia threatening to veto the measure if the Russian oil price cap is not lowered. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna made it clear that his country will not support the sanctions package unless the EU agrees to lower the maximum cost per barrel of Russian oil from $60 to $45.
This development comes as the EU has been struggling to pass the sanctions package, which was originally meant to include a tougher Russian oil price cap. However, opposition from Slovakia, which has increasingly aligned itself with Russia, has held up the measure. Estonia is now taking a strong stance on this issue, saying that it will not support any tweaking of the original package.
Tsakhna emphasized that Estonia wants to pass the sanctions in their original form and opposes any changes to the package. He noted that if a strong 18th EU sanctions package were passed alongside a hard-hitting sanctions bill by the U.S. Senate, Russia would feel serious pressure.
**G7 Nations Ready to Impose Lower Russian Oil Price Cap**
Tsakhna also mentioned that there are signals that the Group of Seven (G7) nations are ready to impose an even lower Russian oil price cap. This development could put further pressure on the EU to reconsider its stance on the sanctions package.
**U.S. Senate Ready to Vote on Sanctions Bill**
Meanwhile, in the United States, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has announced that the Senate is ready to vote on a bill to impose new sanctions on Russia. The bill, which has been in the works for several months, aims to put more pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.
**EU to Impose Toughest Sanctions Yet**
The EU has also committed to introducing the “toughest sanctions… imposed (on Russia) in the last three years” in coordination with U.S. senators. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot made this announcement, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions are no longer advancing on the front and are now limited to shelling residential areas with drones and missiles.
**A New Era of Sanctions**
The sanctions package is expected to be a major blow to Russia’s economy, and Estonia’s threat to veto it unless the oil price cap is lowered could have significant implications for the EU’s relations with Slovakia. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this is a new era of sanctions that will put further pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.
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