Latvian PM criticizes EU states stalling 21st sanctions package against Russia
Andris Kulbergs said vetoing parts of the sanctions means complicity in Ukrainian deaths, and urged EU members to choose between profit and peace.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has strongly criticized European Union member states that are blocking the adoption of the 21st sanctions package against Russia. Speaking to Reuters, he specifically mentioned Bulgaria as one of the countries hindering the package. Kulbergs stated that vetoing individual parts of the sanctions amounts to complicity in the deaths of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
He also condemned inaction regarding Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales, arguing that it fuels the Russian war machine. "Some European countries are making a lot of money from this. The question is: do you want to make money, or do you want peace? You cannot have both," Kulbergs said.
On July 15, the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) failed to reach a decision on the 21st sanctions package, but extended the price cap on Russian oil until July 23. The package was to be approved by July 15 due to the deadline for updating the oil price cap.
Austria is demanding the lifting of sanctions and unfreezing of assets belonging to Russian investment company Rasperia, linked to oligarch Oleg Deripaska. This issue was last publicly raised in October 2025 during discussions of the 19th sanctions package.
Earlier, Bulgaria threatened to block the 21st package, demanding the removal of Patriarch Kirill from the sanctions list; Italy later joined. After Kirill was excluded from the list, these demands were dropped.
