New sanctions for Russia. Two countries resist, but they say something different behind closed doors
In turn, the far -right Hungarian leader Viktor Orban also repeatedly threatened to block additional EU sanctions against Russian energywhich require the unanimous consent of all 27 Member States.
In addition to imposing restrictions on Russian banks, a new package of funds – 18. From the beginning of the war on a full scale – it would hit companies associated with Nord Stream gas pipelines and obliged Brussels to introduce a ban on importing refined fuels from Russian oil through third countries.
The chairwoman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented proposals on Tuesday, also undertaking to support the reduction of oil price limit to $ 45. for a barrel.
Poland, which exercises the rotational presidency of the Council of the European Union, expressed the hope that the package would be adopted before the transfer of this function of Denmark on July 1. This means that the capitals will have to negotiate the agreement probably before the meeting of the leaders on June 27.
– We will work in full swing so that new sanctions are accepted during the Polish Presidency – said Ignacy Niemczycki, Secretary of State for European Affairs.
Behind the closed door
Ambassadors met on Tuesday evening in Brussels to discuss the proposals. “The reaction behind the closed door was not so negative,” said one of the diplomats who wanted to remain anonymous. – We have to wait for the position of Hungary and Slovakia, but the agreement is possible He added.
At the same time, the EU must provide support for the new action plan regarding the elimination of Russian energy, which introduces the date of withdrawing all gas imports by 2027. Detailed legal proposals are to be presented on June 17, but Budapest and Bratislava are protesting against this plan.
Two EU diplomats informed Politico that the European Commission adopted a harder and more uncompromising position on this round of sanctions. Although it usually avoids suggesting solutions that could lead to a veto, This time, the EU executive authorities seem less concerned.
Thanks to this, von der Leyen can fly to the top of the G7 in Alberta in Canada after the announcement of serious sanctions, passing the chopstick to Washington, that he would also put pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin.
So far, however, US President Donald Trump has not shown interest in the proposal of the Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to impose 500 %. duties on countries buying energy from Russia.
“It's definitely something else,” said one of the sources of Politico about the latest commission's proposal. – They are ambitious and they also said what they want to do. If there is no agreement, von der Leyen risks it will look weak The source added.
The decisive moment will probably take place at the end of this month, on the eve of the summit of EU leaders in Brussels on June 26-27.
The second diplomat assured that the Commission “would not have made a proposal if it did not see the opportunity to” accept the package. Fico threats did not worry them. – We have 17 packages and we see no reason why we could not get another – said the source of Politico.
Both diplomats expected the agreement possible because Hungary and Slovakia were not negatively focused on the new sanctions package, despite the fact that they were publicly threatened by veto.
