European Union leaders have pushed back talks on the bloc’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, following resistance from Hungary and Slovakia, Hungarian news source Index reported. The postponement underscores widening divisions within the EU over energy-related measures aimed at Moscow.
The sanctions package, which would have required approval from all 27 member states, faced a roadblock due to objections from Bratislava and Budapest. Both countries voiced alarm over a European Commission initiative to eliminate all remaining Russian energy imports by 2027—plans that they argue threaten their energy security and national interests.
According to Index, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stood firmly against the new sanctions, prompting a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen just before the EU leaders’ summit. However, the negotiations reportedly failed, and the item was pulled from the agenda to avoid an official veto.
Fico stressed earlier that Slovakia would reject the package outright unless it could secure guarantees regarding long-term gas supplies. Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed that both governments would block the proposal, emphasizing the importance of affordable energy for their populations.
The proposed sanctions, first presented earlier this month, aimed to target Russian oil and gas exports, infrastructure, and financial entities. Measures included a permanent ban on use of the damaged Nord Stream pipeline, new restrictions on refined petroleum products originating from Russian crude, and sanctions against dozens of ships allegedly part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”—used to bypass existing oil embargoes.
This latest delay reflects growing frustration among some EU member states who believe current and future sanctions disproportionately affect their economies. The European Commission may still try to push forward using trade regulations that don’t require unanimous consent, but divisions within the bloc remain a significant hurdle to unified action.
