EU Oil Sanctions Against Putin Falter Over Hungary

Negotiations on the intended European import ban for Russian oil sticks because Hungary demands guarantees for alternative supplies first.

On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the issue during a dinner with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest. That was “useful and useful”, says a committee spokesperson, “but the technical work continues”.

An agreement between the 27 member states has not been forthcoming since the commission presented its proposals for a sixth sanctions package last Wednesday.

In addition to, among other things, punitive measures against some sixty people and three Russian TV channels, the daily EU administration wants an import ban on crude oil within six months and on refined oil before the end of the year. The plan is for Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic to receive a postponement and help from the EU to obtain oil. But especially Hungary finds that not enough.

The committee is now preparing a video meeting with leaders from the region who may be able to assist, the spokesman said. The sanctions must be unanimously approved. It is the first package on which the countries do not agree quickly.