EU Fails to Reach Agreement on 18th Sanctions Package Against Russia

On Thursday night in Brussels, European Council summit held to to pass a new round of sanctions against Russia. However, EU leaders failed to reach consensus during this summit because of a firm resistance from Hungary and Slovakia, particularly over a proposal to phase out Russian energy imports. The proposed package of sanctions was 18th after many consecutive sanctions imposed over Russia. As reported by The Guardian, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, speaking after the summit, said his country and Slovakia stood united in their opposition to the energy ban. “We are one team,” he stat

On Thursday night in Brussels, European Council summit held to to pass a new round of sanctions against Russia. However, EU leaders failed to reach consensus during this summit because of a firm resistance from Hungary and Slovakia, particularly over a proposal to phase out Russian energy imports. The proposed package of sanctions was 18th after many consecutive sanctions imposed over Russia. As reported by The Guardian, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, speaking after the summit, said his country and Slovakia stood united in their opposition to the energy ban. “We are one team,” he stated. “We cannot accept the EU proposal that we should not buy Russian oil and gas anymore.” The sanctions deadlock comes amid intensified Russian aggression. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia launched over 350 drones and eight missiles overnight, primarily targeting the western city of Starokostiantyniv; an area housing a significant Ukrainian airbase. Despite the sanctions impasse, EU leaders did find common ground on trade policy, agreeing on a unified approach ahead of upcoming negotiations with the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a cautiously optimistic tone, saying, “Our message today is clear: we are ready for a deal.” However, von der Leyen also noted that the EU is preparing for alternative outcomes if talks with Washington fail to yield results. “At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached … and we will defend the European interest as needed. In short, all options remain on the table,” she warned.