The European Union has approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, introducing a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Danish presidency of the EU announced on Wednesday.
"We are very pleased to announce that we have just been informed by the last remaining member state that it is now ready to lift its reservation on the 19th sanctions package," the presidency said.
Slovakia had been the final country to withhold approval after member states agreed on the final text last week. Prime Minister Robert Fico had sought assurances from the European Commission regarding high energy costs and the alignment of climate goals with the needs of carmakers and heavy industry. A Slovak diplomat confirmed that these concerns were addressed through new clauses added to the final communiqué for the upcoming EU leaders’ summit on Thursday.
"As a result, a written procedure for Council approval has been launched. If no objections are raised, the package will be formally adopted tomorrow at 8 a.m.," the statement added.
The LNG ban will be implemented in two phases: short-term contracts will expire after six months, while long-term ones will cease from 1 January 2027, a full year earlier than the Commission’s original plan to end the bloc’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
The sanctions package also imposes new travel restrictions on Russian diplomats and adds 117 ships to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”, mainly oil tankers, bringing the total number of listed vessels to 558.
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to ...
Supporters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won most municipal races, election officials said on Sunday....
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' As...
According to U.S. media, Cole Tomas Allen, aged 31, carried guns and knives while he attempted to storm the White House Correspondents...
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 2...
U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to see if America is "truly serious about diplomacy". Israel's armed forces has launched a missle attack into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into north Israel.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war suffered a setback on Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned envoy visit to Pakistan for talks, even as parallel regional diplomacy continued and military tensions escalated in Lebanon.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
According to U.S. media, Cole Tomas Allen, aged 31, carried guns and knives while he attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner in the Hilton Washington hotel on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (25 April), in an assault apparently involving jihadist and Tuareg-led groups.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment