The EU will be able to renew its sectoral sanctions against Russia after Hungary abandoned its veto threat, which it had linked to energy concerns.
Hungary has backed down from its veto threat and on Monday allowed the renewal of EU sanctions against Russia for an additional six months, bringing to a close the short-lived political saga that had put Brussels on edge.
The breakthrough was achieved during a meeting of foreign affairs ministers where a statement about “the integrity of the energy infrastructure” was put forward to placate Budapest’s concerns, several diplomats told Euronews.
The prolongation “will continue to deprive Moscow of revenues to finance its war. Russia needs to pay for the damage they are causing,” said High Representative Kaja Kallas.
The sectoral sanctions, which include sweeping bans on oil, coal, technology, finance, luxury goods, transport, and broadcasting, and the freezing of €210 billion in assets from Russia’s Central Bank, were due to expire on 31 January unless unanimity was found.
Continued on the website euronews