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.
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The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet say they carried out targeted strikes on Hamas operatives and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip on Thursday (8 January) after detecting a failed rocket launch from the Gaza City area.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa held separate telephone discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday (9 January), focusing on Syria’s internal security situation, reconstruction efforts and broader regional developments.
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Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Venezuela has released prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other Spanish citizens, Spanish authorities said on Thursday (8 January). Local rights groups report that promised releases of Venezuelan political prisoners are yet to materialise.
Türkiye’s United Nations envoy called on the international community on Thursday to maintain strong support for the elimination of Syria’s remaining chemical weapons, stressing that the task is both a legal obligation and a critical priority for regional security and humanitarian protection.
Georgia has said it will clarify the circumstances surrounding the U.S. seizure of a Russian‑flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic and is seeking information on its Georgian crew members.
President Donald J. Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including both non-United Nations entities and several UN-related bodies.
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