European Pravda reports that EU ambassadors failed to approve the 18th package of sanctions against Russia during the Coreper meeting on Wednesday, July 9, due to continued resistance from Slovakia.Three senior EU diplomats familiar with the talks told European Pravda that Slovakia is still blocking the sanctions package, and the issue will be revisited at the next Coreper meeting on Friday, July 11.“There is still no agreement because Slovakia is holding up the adoption,” one diplomat confirmed, despite “good and productive” talks between Slovak officials and the European Commission in Bratislava on July 3.Another diplomat expressed growing frustration among EU members: “We’re wasting time. A strong response to Russia’s recent disgraceful attacks is overdue.”A third source noted that disagreement also remains over maintaining the oil price cap, with three member states refusing to implement it.EU ambassadors aim to finalize the package this week, with approval expected at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Tuesday, July 15.The package was brought back to the Coreper agenda on July 4 but stalled again due to Slovakia’s demands for guarantees from the European Commission on phasing out Russian gas by 2028.Initial reports suggested Slovakia would lift its objections after the July 3 negotiations, but no breakthrough has occurred yet.