EU extends sanctions on Russia
The foreign ministers of the bloc have decided to extend the economic sanctions imposed on Moscow for an additional six months. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The European Union's foreign ministers have agreed to maintain the economic sanctions on Russia for an additional six months, following Hungary’s decision to withhold its last-minute threat to block the extension due to Ukraine's refusal to resume the flow of Russian gas to the EU.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the extension on Monday, stating that the action will “continue to deprive Moscow of revenues to finance its war.”
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU has implemented 15 rounds of economic penalties against Russia, which include freezing Moscow’s sovereign assets and cutting off nearly all trade and energy connections between the bloc and Russia. These sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states and must be renewed every six months.
Last week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had threatened to “pull the handbrake” on the renewal unless Kiev agreed to restart a transit deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom, allowing Russian gas to flow into the EU through Ukraine. Hungary relies on Russia for about three-quarters of its natural gas imports, a fraction of which comes via the trans-Ukraine pipeline.
Budapest withdrew its threat after receiving “the guarantees it has requested concerning the energy security of our country,” as noted by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in a post on X.
In a statement to Reuters, the European Commission mentioned that it would “continue discussions with Ukraine on the supply to Europe through the gas pipeline system in Ukraine,” adding, “The Commission is ready to associate Hungary in the process along with Slovakia.”
Earlier this month, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had indicated his intention to veto any future EU aid to Kiev in light of the gas cutoff, warning of potential action to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine and restrict humanitarian aid deliveries. Slovakia relies on Russian gas to satisfy approximately 60% of its demand.
Both Orban and Fico have consistently stated that Ukraine cannot achieve a military victory over Russia and that the continuing Western military support will only prolong the conflict. They have also maintained that the EU’s sanctions adversely affect European economies more than they do Russia’s. Orban has threatened to block the sanctions' implementation in return for significant concessions from Brussels, which include a partial exemption from the EU's oil embargo and assurances that the nuclear sector will remain uninfluenced by future sanctions.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the extension on Monday, stating that the action will “continue to deprive Moscow of revenues to finance its war.”
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU has implemented 15 rounds of economic penalties against Russia, which include freezing Moscow’s sovereign assets and cutting off nearly all trade and energy connections between the bloc and Russia. These sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states and must be renewed every six months.
Last week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had threatened to “pull the handbrake” on the renewal unless Kiev agreed to restart a transit deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom, allowing Russian gas to flow into the EU through Ukraine. Hungary relies on Russia for about three-quarters of its natural gas imports, a fraction of which comes via the trans-Ukraine pipeline.
Budapest withdrew its threat after receiving “the guarantees it has requested concerning the energy security of our country,” as noted by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in a post on X.
In a statement to Reuters, the European Commission mentioned that it would “continue discussions with Ukraine on the supply to Europe through the gas pipeline system in Ukraine,” adding, “The Commission is ready to associate Hungary in the process along with Slovakia.”
Earlier this month, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had indicated his intention to veto any future EU aid to Kiev in light of the gas cutoff, warning of potential action to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine and restrict humanitarian aid deliveries. Slovakia relies on Russian gas to satisfy approximately 60% of its demand.
Both Orban and Fico have consistently stated that Ukraine cannot achieve a military victory over Russia and that the continuing Western military support will only prolong the conflict. They have also maintained that the EU’s sanctions adversely affect European economies more than they do Russia’s. Orban has threatened to block the sanctions' implementation in return for significant concessions from Brussels, which include a partial exemption from the EU's oil embargo and assurances that the nuclear sector will remain uninfluenced by future sanctions.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
