The European Union hopes to adopt its 18th package of sanctions against Russia by the end of this week, at the EU summit beginning on Thursday 26 June in Brussels. This is despite the fact that the Hungarian and Slovak governments were vehemently opposed to it at the Foreign Affairs Council, which took place on Monday 23 June (see EUROPE 13665/2).
While this new package partly targets the energy sector, including Russian oil (see EUROPE 13656/1), Hungary and Slovakia have also insisted that the European Commission review its ‘REPowerEU’ proposals aimed at permanently banning imports of Russian fossil fuels into the EU by the end of 2027, as part of a new draft regulation presented on 17 June (see EUROPE 13661/5).
“While EU law granted Hungary and Slovakia exemptions from the ban on Russian oil by a unanimous vote in 2022, ‘Brussels’ is now seeking to revoke this derogation by a qualified majority vote [of Member States], thereby depriving us of the right to buy Russian energy at low prices”, blasted Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, via X, convinced that adoption of the regulation “would constitute a serious violation of EU rules”.
Hungarian opposition to the new package of European sanctions is “nothing new”, said the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, on Monday at the close of the Foreign Affairs Council.
Slovakia, for its part, has indicated that it could support the new sanctions package as it “won’t negatively impact Slovakia’s economy”. However, it is calling for the agreement to be “linked” to discussions on a definitive ban on Russian fossil fuel imports within the framework of ‘REPowerEU’.
“Disconnection from Russian gas and oil will have serious consequences for the Slovak and European economies, as well as lead to an increase in prices for end products”, declared the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár, who called for “guarantees” to offset “these negative consequences for the Slovak Republic”.
He added that the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, would clearly communicate the government’s reservations and demands concerning ‘REPowerEU’ at the European Council.
Questioned on his arrival at the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Tuesday 24 June, the Polish Secretary of State, Ignacy Niemczycki, remained optimistic about the adoption of the new sanctions package, noting nuances between the Hungarian and Slovakian positions.
In particular, he regretted the fact that Hungary was continuing to block talks on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
“We need to find a solution, and I hope that some of the words spoken at the summit will help move this process forward. However, we know that Hungary’s position is very clear. This is an important discussion for us”, insisted Mr Niemczycki. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)