Slovakia still blocks extension of sanctions against Russians, deadline – September 15

On September 9, the EU Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) again failed to agree on the extension of individual sanctions for the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity for a period of one year due to Slovakia’s disagreement.

This was reported by diplomatic sources in the European Union.

EU ambassadors failed to reach an agreement on a one-year extension of the sanctions regime for the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity due to Slovakia’s opposition.

“Today, Coreper discussed the extension of the sanctions regime against individuals and companies responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. However, no agreement was reached,” said one of the diplomats.

Only one state, Slovakia, continues to insist on a six-month extension of the sanctions instead of the proposed one-year one. Bratislava also did not lift the requirement to remove several names from the existing sanctions list, which diplomats are not disclosing at this time due to the confidentiality of the process.

Diplomats will continue further consultations with the aim of reaching an agreement by the September 15 deadline,” another EU diplomat said.

The Slovak side, however, continues to assure that the extension of sanctions will take place before the deadline.

“Discussions on the regular six-monthly review of the sanctions regime regarding actions undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine are ongoing and are expected to be completed by September 15, 2026. “As before, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic will not comment or disclose the details of its negotiating positions or the positions of other member states, as these discussions are confidential,” the Slovak Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Source: https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2026/09/9/7245146/