00:00The European Union has failed to approve a new sanctions package against Russia for a second time.
00:07Diplomats say Slovakia vetoed the package during a meeting of EU ambassadors, with Malta also raising an objection.
00:15The sanctions mark the EU's 18th package of measures against Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
00:22Slovakia's government said it would not approve the package unless it receives concessions on gas supplies.
00:28It has been blocking the package over a separate EU plan to phase out Russian gas by the end of 2027.
00:35Although that plan is unrelated to the sanctions, Slovakia remains heavily reliant on Russia for energy and argues that a ban on imports would hurt its economy.
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