European foreign ministers, “stunned” and “frustrated” by Hungary's new veto decision / What is Romania's position
The European Union will not be able to adopt new sanctions against Russia on Monday due to Hungary's veto, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, confirmed on Monday, according to France Presse and Reuters.
“I have heard very strong statements from Hungary and, unfortunately, I do not see how they can go back on the position they are taking today,” she said shortly before the start of the meeting of EU foreign ministers.
“Of course, we are doing everything we can to promote this sanctions package and get it passed,” she added.
The European Commission presented ministers with a twentieth “package” of sanctions against Russia since its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with a view to adopting it before Tuesday, the anniversary of the invasion.
On Friday, the European Union proposed new sanctions against Russia, targeting its banking and energy sectors, among the proposed measures being a ban on maritime services (maintenance, towing, etc.) for ships carrying Russian oil.
Hungary blocks EU sanctions and loan to Ukraine
But on Sunday, Budapest announced that it had decided to block it because Ukraine does not allow the transit of Russian oil to Hungary through the Drujba pipeline.
“Hungary will exercise the right of veto. As long as Ukraine does not resume oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia through the Drujba pipeline,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Sunday.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also said at the weekend that he would also block the passage of a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine decided in December for the same reasons.
Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of preventing the reopening of this oil pipeline, damaged, according to Kiev, by Russian attacks. Slovakia says that this pipeline has been repaired, but that Kiev continues to keep it closed in order to put pressure on Hungary and Slovakia, which are hostile to Ukraine's accession to the EU, which is currently under negotiation.
After Hungary and Slovakia threatened to “turn off the lights”, Ukraine fought back. “The ultimatums should be sent to the Kremlin”
European foreign ministers say they are shocked by Hungary's decision
“I am stunned by Hungary's position,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on his arrival in Brussels on Monday, adding that EU foreign ministers would urge Hungary to reconsider its decision to block the next package of sanctions.
“I don't think it's right for Hungary to betray its own fight for European freedom and sovereignty,” Wadephul said.
“Therefore, we will once again present our arguments to the Hungarians in Budapest, but also here in Brussels, of course, and ask them to reconsider their position,” he added.
The Polish foreign minister expressed shock at Hungary's lack of solidarity with Ukraine and said that, in his opinion, the Hungarian government is creating a climate of hostility towards Kiev in order to use it in the election campaign.
“I would have expected a much stronger sense of solidarity from Hungary towards Ukraine,” Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told reporters in Brussels.
“Instead, with the help of state propaganda… the ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression. And now they are trying to exploit this in the general election. It is quite shocking,” he added.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys also said on Monday morning that he was “very frustrated” that a proposed 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine had been blocked, he said before the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday.
What is Romania's position?
Romania supports the adoption by the European Union of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which does not only use conventional weapons in its war, but also disinformation campaigns through which it tries to weaken the EU, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu said on Monday, before the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (CAE), according to Agerpres.
According to her, it is necessary to increase the international pressure on Russia, which “must pay for what it has done”. In his opinion, adopting a new set of EU sanctions against Moscow is the right strategy, and the European Union must ensure that Russia does not increase its profits.
“Also, a demand of our citizens, in every member country, is that the burden be transferred to the shoulders of the aggressors. So, I trust that this will lead us to the right decision. I am sure that will happen these days; that is definitely the goal, but each country has its own position at the moment. We have seen similar situations in the past and we have overcome them. That is why it is called the 20th package of sanctions. I am not sure when that will happen, but The EU will remain firm”, added Oana Ţoiu.
