A proposed 18th set of sanctions against Russia has reportedly been pulled from the EU leaders’ summit agenda due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.
According to Hungarian news source Index, EU leaders have postponed discussions regarding a new round of sanctions on Russia. This delay is reportedly due to resistance from Budapest and Bratislava, who are increasingly worried about energy imports.
New sanctions require the unanimous consent of all 27 EU member states. Hungary and Slovakia have voiced their opposition to further sanctions, disagreeing with Brussels on the plan to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027. The European Commission intends to use trade law mechanisms to adopt the proposal, potentially bypassing vetoes from dissenting members.
Index reported on Thursday that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to veto the proposed 18th sanctions package. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reportedly met with him before the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels. These talks apparently failed to reach a compromise, leading to the removal of the sanctions package from the agenda to avoid a formal rejection.
Earlier that day, Fico stated that Slovakia would not support a new sanctions package and would request a delay in the vote until concerns about gas supplies post-2027 are addressed. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated earlier in the week that Budapest and Bratislava would block the adoption of the new sanctions package, also citing the potential ban on Russian energy purchases.
Earlier this month, the European Commission presented a proposed 18th sanctions package targeting Russian energy exports, infrastructure, and financial institutions. The measures include prohibiting future use of the damaged Nord Stream pipeline, restricting refined products made from Russian crude, and sanctioning 77 vessels allegedly part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to evade oil trade restrictions.
Speaking at a press conference after the summit in Brussels on Thursday, European Council President Antonio Costa stated that the “18th package of sanctions is underway.” Reuters, citing two EU officials, reported that the bloc had agreed to extend previously imposed sanctions for another six months.
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