Czech PM Welcomes Slovakia's Shift on 18th Sanctions Package against Russia

Prague, 18 July (TASR-correspondent) - Czech Premier Petr Fiala has welcomed Slovakia's decision to stop blocking the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, calling it another important step in the joint pressure on the Kremlin to end its aggression against Ukraine, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent in Prague. "I appreciate the fact that the European Union has approved its eighteenth and so far toughest sanctions package against Russia ... The sanctions are working, weakening the Russian economy and limiting Russia's ability to finance the war. It's good that Slovakia has changed its decision and stopped blocking the package, a move that I requested in a letter to Prime Minister (Robert) Fico (Smer-SD) last week," stated Fiala. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky noted that the Czech Republic pushed for latest sanctions package to include an option to require exporters to obtain an export licence if there is a suspicion that goods could end up in Russia via third countries. The 18th package of sanctions against Russia was approved by ambassadors of the EU-member states on Friday morning. Created in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it's set to hit Moscow's revenues from the energy and military sectors, with the adopted measures including a lowered price cap on Russian oil and a ban on trade with companies operating the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. lin/df