Efforts to adopt the European Union’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia have stalled, following opposition from Hungary and Slovakia. Both countries have linked their refusal to approve the latest measures to objections over a separate European Commission proposal to end imports of Russian fossil fuels by 2027.
During a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on 23 June, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed that Budapest, with the support of Slovakia, had blocked progress on the sanctions package. “This would undermine Hungary’s energy security and violate the Council decision granting us exemption from the Russian oil ban,” he said.
The sanctions under discussion include penalties on the Nord Stream pipelines and restrictions on the import of fuels refined from Russian crude oil in third countries, such as India, China, and Turkey. This latest package follows 17 previous rounds of sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, including finance, technology, and energy, in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Slovakia’s position centres on concerns about the long-term economic impact of transitioning away from Russian gas. The country is requesting guarantees from the European Commission to mitigate the consequences of a full gas phase-out, scheduled for 2028 under current EU plans. Bratislava fears financial penalties and potential supply shortfalls as a result of its contractual obligations with Russian energy suppliers.
Unlike Slovakia, Hungary has not formally presented a detailed list of conditions for lifting its objection. However, both governments are understood to want the Commission’s phase-out policy withdrawn in exchange for supporting the sanctions package.
Despite the current deadlock, diplomats involved in the negotiations have suggested that the issue may still be resolved. A senior EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Politico that the situation did not amount to a definitive veto. “I don’t read this as a veto. This is something the Slovakians had previously said they would need to discuss, so this doesn’t change anything,” the diplomat said.
On 27 June, during a meeting of EU ambassadors, known as COREPER, no agreement was reached on the 18th sanctions package. Sources confirmed to Yevropeiska Pravda that both Hungary and Slovakia maintained their objections, effectively blocking progress. A follow-up visit by a European Commission delegation to Bratislava is scheduled for 3 July, with the aim of resolving Slovakia’s outstanding concerns.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also held a bilateral meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during last week’s EU summit. However, Fico remained opposed to the proposed sanctions package, and no breakthrough was achieved.
The 18th package had been expected to include additional designations of individuals and entities linked to Russia’s war effort, as well as tightened controls to reduce sanctions circumvention via third countries. The proposed measures reflect a broader attempt by the Commission to adapt its sanctions strategy to the changing dynamics of Russia’s wartime economy.
Formal adoption of new sanctions requires unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states. While Hungary has repeatedly expressed reservations over energy-related sanctions, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has ultimately supported previous packages, often following behind-the-scenes negotiations or the granting of opt-outs.
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