The EU again failed to agree on the ninth package of sanctions against Russia

Representatives of the EU countries could not agree on the ninth package of anti-Russian sanctions on the evening of December 14 due to disagreements on the export of Russian fertilizers, transmits Reuters, citing diplomats.

According to the agency, the countries are closer to an agreement, but Poland and several other countries still have objections. Negotiations will resume tonight.

Diplomats noted that the disagreement is over whether the EU should facilitate the export of Russian fertilizers through European ports, even when they are produced by companies whose owners are on the sanctions list. Some EU members believe that such restrictions pose a threat to food security for developing countries, while Poland and the Baltic countries are confident that “Russian oligarchs” will begin to abuse “this loophole.”

During the talks, a proposal was also made to involve the World Food Organization in issuing permits for the export of fertilizers to countries that need them.

On December 10, the Polish ambassador to the EU, Andrzej Sados, announced that negotiations on sanctions had reached an impasse. According to him, this happened due to the large number of exceptions that were set by European states, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Belgium. 12 December Head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell toldthat the representatives of the EU member states have still not been able to agree on sanctions due to the clarification of the necessary exemptions from the proposed sanctions necessary to minimize collateral damage. At the same time, sanctions against about 200 Russian individuals and companies, as well as several media outlets, have already been approved, he stressed.

The ninth package of sanctions was announced December 7 by the head of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen. She then said that 200 individuals and legal entities from Russia would fall under the restrictions. We are talking about the Russian military, defense industry enterprises, State Duma deputies and senators, ministers, governors and political parties. In addition, three more Russian banks will be included in the sanctions list, and broadcasting of four more Russian TV channels will be banned. The restrictions may include the supply of a number of dual-use goods, as well as the Russian energy and mining sectors.