Greece has stalled the European Union’s latest attempt to approve a new package of sanctions against Russia, preventing an agreement late on Wednesday. The disagreement centered on gas shipments, turning what had been expected to be a final round of talks into another diplomatic setback.
EU ambassadors are now due to meet again on Thursday morning in an extra negotiating session aimed at rescuing the measures. The renewed talks come at a sensitive moment, as envoys are preparing to leave for the summer break and negotiators face pressure to avoid delaying the package further.
The dispute highlights how energy issues continue to complicate EU efforts to maintain a united line on Russia. Even when there is broad support for tougher measures, concerns tied to gas and trade can expose divisions among member states and slow the bloc’s decision-making.
Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, is overseeing the discussions as diplomats try to bridge the remaining gap. Whether the package can still be finalized quickly depends on whether negotiators can find a compromise on the gas-related concerns that blocked a deal the previous night.
