(MENAFN) The European Union (EU) failed to approve a new round of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, as the move was blocked by Slovakia over concerns related to energy security, according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas said she was "really sad" the sanctions didn't get approved, adding that "the ball is in Slovakia's court."

The European Commission unveiled its 18th sanctions package last month, targeting Russia's energy sector, banking operations, and defense industry. Among the proposed measures is a ban on financial transactions involving Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines.

Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian gas, objected to the proposed package, citing fears of supply disruptions and rising energy costs linked to a separate EU proposal to phase out Russian gas imports by early 2028.

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