EU countries agree to extend sanctions against Russia

The heads of state of the 27 EU countries agreed on Thursday to extend the sanctions against Russia for another six months.

This is reported by the AFP news agency.

The decision was made at Thursday's EU summit in Brussels.

The sanctions, among other things, give the EU the opportunity to freeze 200 million euros in Russian assets.

The freeze will thus be extended until the beginning of 2026.

The sanctions against Russia are due to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Every six months, the sanctions must be unanimously extended again by the member states.

There have been concerns that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would block the renewal of the sanctions.

An 18th sanctions package against Russia is also on the negotiating table of the EU countries.

However, there is less agreement here. Hungary and Slovakia have threatened not to support the sanctions package, which must also be adopted unanimously.

According to the two countries, their decision is due to the EU Commission's proposal to ban the import of Russian gas from the end of 2027.

The countries believe that it will be too expensive for their populations if the import of Russian gas is banned.

Since the EU Commission's proposal must be adopted by a qualified majority in the EU Council of Ministers, Hungary and Slovakia are using their veto power for the 18th sanctions package in negotiations with the Commission.

Although there is opposition to the sanctions package, EU President António Costa said at the summit's closing press conference that the 18th sanctions package is on the way.

In a video message at today's summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called on EU leaders to adopt a new strong sanctions package.

According to he sanctions package should target Russian oil trade, the shadow navy, the banking sector and supply chains for the Russian defense industry.

According to Zelenskyj, the EU should introduce an oil price ceiling of $30.

/ritzau/