Brussels, 15 July 2025 (dpa/MIA) - European Union foreign affairs ministers are to meet on Tuesday in Brussels to discuss the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, as a decision on the bloc's 18th package of sanctions on Russia is still outstanding.

The proposed set of punitive measures, put forward by the European Commission in June, targets Russia's financial and energy sectors in response to President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.

The sanctions were put on hold after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said he is not ready to endorse the proposal, citing concerns over Slovakia's gas imports.

Under the plans, the international price cap on Russian oil exports would be lowered to $45 per barrel, down from $60 per barrel, but the measure failed to receive unanimous backing at a meeting of the Group of 7 (G7) advanced Western democracies last month.

EU ministers are also to be discuss Russia's war with their Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, who plans to join the meeting by video-link.

On the agenda of the meeting is also the situation in the Middle East, after the EU announced last week a deal with Israel on improving access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Photo: MIA archive