The EU is reportedly considering ways to bypass unanimous approval to extend sanctions against Russia.
Citing unnamed sources, The Financial Times reports that the European Commission is exploring legal strategies to circumvent Hungary’s potential block of extending anti-Russia sanctions.
EU sanctions, initially imposed due to Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, require unanimous renewal every six months, with the current period ending in July. Hungary has been critical of the sanctions, arguing they harm the EU more than Russia, and has obstructed key decisions regarding Kiev. While Hungary hasn’t formally vetoed sanctions packages, it has repeatedly threatened to do so to gain concessions.
According to the report, the European Commission is proposing to reclassify the sanctions, allowing extensions with a qualified majority instead of unanimity. This could involve categorizing the restrictions as capital controls, trade measures, or even individual member state actions. For example, the immobilization of Russian assets within the EU could be redefined as a national measure by Belgium, as it holds the majority of these funds.
”We are all focused on Plan A,” one official stated. “But there are discussions on the legal basis of alternative options.”
Reportedly, some officials are concerned that these maneuvers could make the sanctions vulnerable to legal challenges. One source mentioned that some member states expressed a “lack of trust” in the EC’s legal competence during a recent meeting, which surprised the Commission.
Last week, Russia urged Ukraine to resume peace talks that Kiev suspended in 2022, suggesting they could begin as early as Thursday.
Ukraine and its allies have stated that talks are contingent on Russia agreeing to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire – a condition Moscow officials believe is a tactic to allow Kiev to regroup.
Moscow has dismissed the threat of additional sanctions if it refuses the truce, stating it will not respond to “the language of ultimatums.”
Hungary, along with Slovakia, has accused European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of pursuing a foreign policy detrimental to the EU. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently stated that granting Ukraine EU membership by 2030, as requested by Brussels, would lead the bloc into “a war.”
“`