The European Union is moving towards its 20th sanctions package against Russia.

European Union envoys are expected to move forward with the adoption of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, with support expected from Slovakia and Hungary following the resumption of oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline, European diplomats said on Wednesday (22). The measure had been stalled by the need for unanimity among the bloc's countries, a condition not yet met previously. Slovakian support is conditional on the normalization of supply via the pipeline. DruzhbaSlovakia, one of the main oil supply routes to Europe, is expected to see its flow resume today after an interruption caused by a drone attack in January. According to the Slovak government, the sanctions package should not have a significant impact on the local economy, provided that supplies are restored. The new set of sanctions specifically targets the Russian military-industrial complex, focusing on drone production, the so-called "parallel fleet" of ships used to circumvent restrictions, and services related to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Russian icebreakers, with a gradual ban. One of the most sensitive measures—a total ban on maritime services for Russian oil—has not yet been implemented. Diplomats indicate that there is an agreement "in principle," but the decision has been postponed until greater alignment with the G7. If adopted, the measure could represent the end of the price ceiling imposed on Russian oil since 2022, a mechanism that allowed the use of Western insurance and transport as long as the barrel was traded below US$60.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.