Hungary and Slovakia oppose EU sanctions renewal ahead of 15 March deadline
Hungary and Slovakia oppose renewing EU sanctions against over 2,700 individuals and entities linked to Russia, risking release of key figures by 15 March.
Brussels is exploring financial aid for the Druzhba pipeline amid escalating tensions with Hungary and Slovakia over potential sanctions renewal ahead of the 15 March deadline.
Another meeting is set for Friday ahead of the 15 March deadline for the renewal of EU sanctions against individuals related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Briefing summary
Hungary and Slovakia are opposing the renewal of sanctions targeting over 2,700 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with discussions failing in Brussels. The countries rejected proposals after their requests for the removal of specific individuals were denied.
A new meeting is set for Friday as the deadline approaches. If sanctions lapse on 15 March, names including Russian President Vladimir Putin may regain access to EU-held funds, escalating the political tensions surrounding the ongoing dispute over the Druzhba pipeline.
Efforts to impose further economic sanctions against Russia are also hindered by the two countries, particularly following a controversial €90 billion loan for Ukraine. The European Commission is exploring options for financial assistance to address pipeline issues.
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Hungary and Slovakia resist renewal of Russia sanctions as deadline nears
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Hungary and Slovakia are resisting a renewal of sanctions from the European Union on over 2,700 individuals and entities in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, just days before a 15 March deadline as tensions over a damaged oil pipeline drag on.
A first attempt to roll over the individual restrictions on Wednesday afternoon during a meeting of ambassadors in Brussels failed to reach a conclusion.
Hungary and Slovakia opposed the decision after their requests to remove a handful of individuals from the sanctions list were denied, several diplomats told EU News.
The Slovak demand, involving businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, proved particularly controversial in the room. The talks ended without resolution.
Another meeting is scheduled for Friday, when the stakes will be significantly higher.
If the sanctions are not renewed before 15 March, all the blacklisted names, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will be automatically released. Oligarchs, propagandists and military companies will regain access to millions of funds held across the EU territory.
This is not the first time that Brussels has been in a race against time.
In March last year, Hungary lifted its veto on the renewal of the individual sanctions less than 48 hours before the deadline. A similar scenario played out six months later.
This time, though, there is a new explosive element: the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of deliberately keeping the pipeline shut for “political reasons”. Both insist the conduit is operational.
The dispute, which escalated dramatically last week, has seen Orbán block a €90 billion loan for Ukraine that EU leaders had agreed in December. Fico said he may maintain the veto if Orbán’s party loses the general elections of 12 April.
Additionally, Hungary and Slovakia are preventing the adoption of a new round of economic sanctions against Russia, which was ready to go before the Druzhba row erupted. The package includes a full ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers.
In a bid to break the impasse, the Commission is considering providing financial assistance to repair the Druzhba pipeline.