Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Malta block new EU sanctions package against Russia 

This is reported by Politico.

According to the sources of the American publication, several countries do not agree with limiting the price of Russian oil. Among the dissenters are Hungary, Cyprus, Greece and Malta, whose tankers transport most of Russian oil to the EU.

Hungary wants to be allowed to re-export to neighboring EU countries the Russian oil it receives by pipeline thanks to an exemption from the previous package of sanctions. However, EU countries are concerned that Budapest will gain an unfair advantage in the single market. One of Politico's interlocutors warned that the EU may limit prices for pipeline oil as well. In that case, Hungary would not be able to veto it, as it is considered a trade measure that only requires an EU majority vote.

Cyprus, Greece and Malta are worried that the EU will "shoot itself in the foot" if it bans its tanker fleet from carrying Russian oil, when a similar ban is not implemented by other major shipping countries - Turkey, India and Indonesia.

EU ambassadors intend to hold additional meetings this week to discuss new sanctions.

"I think we will need one or two more meetings with the representatives of the countries to reach an agreement," said one of the European high-ranking officials. It is known that the ambassadors intend to agree on a new package of sanctions by October 7.