Latvia tells EU capitals they cannot have both war profits and lasting peace

Kulbergs sharply criticized specific European Union member states, including Bulgaria, for stalling the passage of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia.

According to the Latvian Prime Minister, the proposed restrictions are intended to target approximately 250 individuals and entities, alongside implementing much stricter measures on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Kulbergs stressed that blocking key clauses of the package amounts to complicity in the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. He further stressed that failing to crack down on Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and continued LNG trade actively finances Moscow's military operations.

"Furthermore, some [European] countries are making crazy amounts of money off of this. The question is, do you want to make money, or do you want peace? You cannot have both of these things at the same time," the Latvian leader added.

Stalled progress on EU 21st sanctions package

The Baltic push for a stricter embargo faces complex diplomatic hurdles within Brussels:

The Vienna-Athens Obstacle: On July 15, reports surfaced that the adoption of the 21st EU sanctions package had been delayed by at least a week due to formal objections raised by Greece and Austria regarding specific regulatory provisions. EU ambassadors are scheduled to make another attempt to finalize the package on July 22 at a meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper - Comité des représentants permanents).

Repeated Delays: Prior to the setback, EU ambassadors failed to reach a consensus on the measures at consecutive meetings on July 13 and July 14.

Prior Action: On July 13, the EU successfully blacklisted Russia's VK Company (VKontakte) and its subsidiary, Communication Platform, which manages the FSB-controlled messaging app "MAX."

Sofia's Veto Threat: While the earlier sanctions package targeted the Russian military-industrial complex, its shadow fleet, and hybrid warfare networks, Bulgaria threatened to block the 21st package over the inclusion of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. Italy also raised reservations. To break the deadlock, diplomats ultimately removed both Patriarch Kirill and Russian oligarch Vagit Alekperov from the active draft.