09/07/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 9 July, Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) failed to reach agreement on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Slovakia continues to block the adoption of the measures, as it wants guarantees on the REPowerEU ‘roadmap’. Similarly, governments are still divided on the issue of lowering the oil price ceiling from $60 to $45, with the G7 countries not in favour. Three Member States do not want this reduction either, while Estonia has publicly threatened not to adopt the 18th package if the new ceiling is not included. Ambassadors will return to the subject on Friday 11 July, and the aim is still to have it adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council on Tuesday 15 July. (CG)