Key facts
- EU ambassadors are discussing a revised 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
- The proposed sanctions include a potential ban on fish imports from Russia.
- Discussions are ongoing regarding a ban on sales of LNG tankers.
- Bulgaria has expressed opposition to sanctioning Patriarch Kirill and Vagit Alekperov.
- The EU met with a Taliban delegation to discuss the return of Afghan migrants.
- European Commissioner Michael McGrath visited Malta to discuss rule of law and corruption.
EU ambassadors are set to discuss a revised 21st package of sanctions against Russia, with significant debate surrounding proposed bans on fish imports and LNG tankers. The price cap mechanism for Russian crude oil also remains a point of contention, with a review due before July 15. Several member states, including Bulgaria, have voiced opposition to specific measures, such as sanctioning Patriarch Kirill and Vagit Alekperov, citing economic and cultural reasons.
In parallel, European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath visited Malta, where discussions focused on rule of law and corruption. Corinne Vella, sister of assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of current reforms, noting persistent issues with justice system efficacy and safety for journalists.
Elsewhere, the EU is grappling with the complex issue of returning irregular migrants to Afghanistan, facing a dilemma between managing returns and avoiding legitimization of the Taliban regime. A meeting between EU officials and a Taliban delegation in Brussels drew criticism from human rights advocates concerned about forced returns.
In other news, Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari made history by bringing her infant son to an Environment Council meeting, highlighting Sweden's parental leave policies. France announced it had intercepted a Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker attempting to circumvent sanctions. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg defended European allies against criticism from Donald Trump, while the European Commission introduced stricter rules for U.S. cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.