EU Sanctions on Russia Stalled by Hungary and Slovakia

 EU Sanctions on Russia Stalled by Hungary and Slovakia

At a summit in Brussels on June 26, the European Union extended existing sanctions on Russia but failed to approve a new package due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. The 27 EU leaders agreed to maintain current sanctions for another six months, including the freeze on over €200 billion in Russian central bank assets, ensuring these measures remain in place until at least early 2026. This renewal was seen as a victory for EU unity after concerns that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban might allow the measures to lapse. Orban had previously delayed renewal decisions, raising fears of a collapse in the EU’s economic leverage over Russia.

However, attempts to adopt a proposed 18th package of sanctions were blocked. Hungary resisted new energy and banking restrictions, while Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, objected over its energy security concerns. Fico’s government remains heavily reliant on Russian gas and profits from transit fees. He held discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seeking concessions but ultimately withheld support for the new measures.

The stalled package aimed to target Russian oil trade networks, shadow tanker operations, and financial institutions that facilitate weapon production. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the summit by video, urging the EU to move forward with stronger sanctions that would hit Russia’s remaining wartime revenue streams. Despite Ukraine’s appeals, the plan to lower the price cap on Russian oil was dropped due to a lack of backing from the United States within the G7 framework.

While the EU preserved the impact of its existing sanctions, the internal disagreements reveal the bloc’s growing challenge in maintaining consensus on new punitive actions against Moscow as the war in Ukraine continues. Negotiations are expected to resume in the coming weeks.

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