If EU fails to convince Hungary, sanctions against Russia may not be extended - President’s Representative

14.03.2025 02:21

Ukrinform

If the EU’s Committee of Permanent Representatives at the ambassadorial level fails to reach a consensus on extending sanctions against Russia for the next six months due to Hungary’s stance, the European Union's economic restrictions on Russia could be lifted on Saturday.

This was stated by the President's Representative for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, in a TV broadcast, as reported by Ukrinform.

“If the European Union, which is holding its fourth meeting today at 9:30, does not agree to extend the sanctions regime against Russia, then, indeed, on Saturday, all sanctions, all 16 sanctions packages against Russia, will lose their validity,” Vlasiuk explained.

According to him, Hungary is blocking the decision to extend the sanctions, but the EU has ways to resolve this crisis.

“One option is to reach a compromise, i.e., to meet Hungary’s demands regarding the lifting of sanctions on eight or more Russian individuals, such as Usmanov, Friedman, Aven, whom they openly lobby for. Another, more radical option is that the EU may temporarily revoke Hungary’s voting rights on this decision, as the EU has a regulatory possibility for this. If they do so, they can adopt the decision to extend sanctions without Hungary’s vote. However, on the other hand, this would be a blow to the unity of the EU,” said the sanctions policy representative.

Read also: Ukraine's MFA explains why EU has yet to sanction Russia's 'shadow fleet'

As reported, on September 12, 2024, the European Union extended individual sanctions against individuals involved in violating Ukraine's territorial integrity for another six months, until March 15, 2025.