**Slovakia Set to Approve EU Sanctions Against Russia**
In a significant development, Slovakia is likely to approve the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia. The announcement was made by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on July 14.
Fico stated that he had received draft guarantees from the EU and was hopeful that an agreement would be reached soon. He hinted that approval could come as early as tomorrow, or at the latest, on Wednesday or Friday.
This decision marks a significant shift for Slovakia, which had been blocking the sanctions package due to concerns about the transition away from Russian gas. The country’s authorities have increasingly aligned themselves with Moscow in recent months.
**EU Reaches Agreement on Sanctions**
The EU has been working towards reaching an agreement on the sanctions package, which includes a new Russian oil price cap. The bloc was reportedly expected to reach a full agreement ahead of a foreign ministers’ meeting on July 15.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala had written to Fico urging him not to block approval of the sanctions package, warning that failure to do so could isolate Slovakia within the EU. However, Slovak Agriculture Minister Richard Takac rejected this call, stating that protecting national interests was more important than following Brussels’ lead.
**Russian Oil Price Cap Expected**
The 18th sanctions package is expected to include a new Russian oil price cap, which will lower the maximum cost per barrel to $47 from $60. This cap will be revised every six months instead of every three, as previously planned.
This development marks a significant step towards strengthening EU sanctions against Russia and is likely to have far-reaching implications for Moscow’s economy and global influence.
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