What's happened
At a summit in Brussels, EU leaders agreed to extend sanctions against Russia until early 2026, maintaining pressure over the Ukraine conflict. However, a new sanctions package was blocked by Hungary and Slovakia, highlighting ongoing divisions within the bloc regarding energy policies and relations with Russia.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Sanctions Continuity: The EU's decision to extend sanctions reflects a unified stance against Russia, despite internal disagreements. This move is crucial as it preserves the bloc's leverage in negotiations with Moscow.
- Hungary and Slovakia's Position: Both countries have consistently opposed stricter sanctions, citing economic concerns. Their resistance indicates a potential fracture in EU solidarity, which could embolden Russia.
- Future Implications: The failure to pass a new sanctions package may weaken the EU's bargaining power in future negotiations, especially as the U.S. pushes for peace efforts. The ongoing reliance on Russian energy by some member states complicates the EU's strategic objectives.
- Energy Transition: The EU's commitment to phasing out Russian fossil fuels by 2028 is a significant step towards energy independence, but it raises questions about the economic impact on member states reliant on Russian imports.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the EU's sanctions against Russia will remain in place until early 2026, but a new sanctions package was blocked by Hungary and Slovakia. Politico highlights that Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is pushing for concessions in exchange for supporting the sanctions. The Guardian notes that the EU aims to phase out Russian gas imports by 2028, despite opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, who fear economic repercussions. The Moscow Times emphasizes that the proposed ban on Russian gas contracts is designed to bypass potential opposition from these countries. The Independent reports that the EU's plans to end energy ties with Russia are legally enforceable, but Hungary and Slovakia's resistance poses challenges to the implementation of these measures.
How we got here
The EU has been imposing sanctions on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, aiming to reduce reliance on Russian energy. Recent proposals include a ban on Russian gas imports by 2026, facing resistance from Hungary and Slovakia due to their energy dependencies.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the sanctions for EU countries?
- How does Hungary's position affect EU unity?
- What are the next steps for EU energy policy?
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the southwest, and Czech Republic to the northwest.
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Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Spanning 93,030 square kilometres in the Carpathian Basin, it borders Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, a
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Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and the president of the European Commission since 1 December 2019. She served in the federal government of Germany from 2005 to 2019 as the longest-serving member of Angela Merkel's cabinet.