BRUSSELS (Dispatches) - The 27 European Union member states failed Friday to reach an agreement on extending individual sanctions against Russia, diplomatic sources told the ANSA news agency.
The EU’s Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) met Friday to discuss the renewal of the bloc’s individual sanctions lists targeting Russia but did not reach a deal.
Consultations will continue, with Coreper expected to meet on Monday again to reach an agreement before the current measures expire at midnight Tuesday.
At its previous meeting on Monday, the committee agreed to extend the sanctions for just a week to give member states additional time to “thoroughly examine the renewal proposals.”
The EU’s individual sanctions regime against Russia includes asset freezes and travel restrictions targeting both individuals and entities.
New U.S. sanctions against Russia would complicate efforts to reach a peaceful settlement in Ukraine if implemented, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
His comments came after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a sanctions package Wednesday targeting Russia’s economy and threatening steep tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil.
The bill now awaits U.S. President Donald Trump’s signature to become law.
Speaking at a news briefing in Moscow, Peskov called the bill’s approval an “unfriendly action” and said the Kremlin was monitoring its progress.
“Of course, the introduction of any additional sanctions by the U.S. would definitely complicate efforts to find a peaceful settlement in Ukraine,” he said.