The European Union is unlikely to reach an agreement on a new, 20th package of sanctions against Russia before the fourth anniversary of the full invasion of Ukraine, which falls tomorrow, after Hungary vowed to block it.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas admitted on Monday morning that “there will be no progress” on the issue today, as Budapest is expected to block the approval of sanctions.
“We are doing our best to get the sanctions package… passed… and we are looking for ways to do that. But, given that we have heard some very strong statements from Hungary,… I don’t really see… that they will change that unfortunately today,” she stated.
Hungary opposes the proposed measures as well as the payment of a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, as part of its growing dispute with Ukraine over oil transit using the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Sunday that “until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow important decisions for Kiev to move forward.”