The European Union failed to approve a new package of sanctions against Russia

Diplomats said the two member states were obstructing the approval due to a dispute over extending the deadline for European companies withdrawing their investments from… Russia. EU members will later return to contradict the package.

The package also includes fines for tankers that transport Russian oil.

Among the items included in the sanctions was a discussion on extending a European Union exemption that allows the Czechs to continue importing Diesel And other products obtained from Russian oil and produced in a refinery in Slovakia.

While the Czech Republic said it is not seeking an extension allowing the import of fuel from Russia oilSlovakia is seeking to keep the arrangement that expired yesterday, Thursday.

Slovak refinery Slovnaft is a significant exporter of diesel produced from Russian oil to the Czech Republic. Czech officials said a six-month extension could be accepted.

And the ban European Union Including 27 countries, most oil imports are from Russia after its war against Ukraine in 2022. But the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary were granted exemptions from Penalties Due to lack of supplies from other sources.

However, the Czech Republic is modernizing its gas pipeline Italy yes Germany To transport more oil in this way and completely stop relying on Russian oil by the second half of 2025.