Kaja Kallas said ministers could approve the bloc’s biggest listings round, but disputes over energy and trade measures left the 21st package unresolved and put the Russian crude price cap’s July 15 deadline at risk.
EU foreign ministers have not finalized the bloc’s 21st sanctions package against Russia, but they may still approve 250 new sanctions listings of individuals and entities, which Kaja Kallas said would be the EU’s biggest such round so far. Kallas also said there are “no guarantees” the EU will extend its price cap on Russian crude before it expires on July 15, with follow-up ambassador talks set for July 14. Disputes remain over measures including a proposed maritime services ban, tighter restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas, and reportedly some trade-related steps such as Russian fish imports. The standoff highlights the EU’s unanimity requirement on foreign policy and raises the risk of higher energy-market volatility if the oil cap lapses.