EU extends sanctions on Russia for 6 months after Hungary drops objections
The European Union agreed a six-month extension on Monday to a set of sanctions aimed at depriving Russia of funds to finance its war against Ukraine, after Hungary dropped its objections to the move.
The sanctions target trade, finance, energy, technology, industry, transport and luxury goods. They include a ban on the import or transfer of crude oil from the sea and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU. They will now remain in place until at least July 31.
Some measures were introduced in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, but the list grew significantly after Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbor almost three years ago.
On Friday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called on the EU to intervene in a gas dispute his country has with Ukraine. He said Kiev's decision to halt the transit of Russian gas to Central Europe had forced Hungary to turn to alternative routes, which has pushed up energy prices.
To satisfy Orban's demand, the European Commission attached a statement to Monday's sanctions-amending agreement, saying it "expects all third countries to respect" the EU's energy security and warned it could take action to protect critical infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines.
“Hungary has received the guarantees it requested regarding our country’s energy security,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in a statement. All 27 EU member states must agree to extend the sanctions.
But already last week, EU diplomats and officials were expecting Hungary to end its threatened blockade of the measures after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tough taxes, tariffs and sanctions on Russia if a deal was not reached to end the war in Ukraine.
In a post on his “Social Truth” page last Wednesday, Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “step down now and stop this ridiculous war.” Orbán is seen as Putin’s closest ally in the 27-nation EU, but he is also a staunch admirer of Trump.
Poll
Sa ju bindin programet ekonomike të partive për zgjedhjet e 11 majit 2025?
-
Janë të detajuara dhe të realizueshme
-
Kanë ide të mira, por mungojnë detajet e zbatimit
-
Janë premtime të parealizueshme
"Black" Tuesday for drivers - INSTAT: Mortality, 10.5 per 100 road accidents
Statistics published by INSTAT for the period January-December 2024 show that 1,666 accidents were recorded, compared to the same period in 2023, where 1,285......
Where does Albania get its "bread"? About 60% of its weight is based on just two countries
Albania's dependence on grain imports appears to have been reduced in recent years, as there has been a decrease in the quantity imported and an increase in......
Who funds the World Health Organization? List of its largest donors!
President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization means the UN agency is losing its largest funder. For the two-year budget......
20-year bonds are issued for the first time!
The Ministry of Finance held the first auction of 20-year bonds on Tuesday and according to reports, there is a very high interest from investors. According......
After Trump's decision on US citizenship: Which European countries practice the right to citizenship by birth?
President Donald Trump recently said that the U.S. is the only country in the world that offers citizenship to a child born on its soil, regardless of the......
Vucic: The Prime Minister's resignation could lead to early elections!
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić says the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević on Tuesday could lead to early parliamentary elections or a new......
Exchange rate/ The US Dollar weakens while the Franc gains points!
The US dollar has registered a decline this morning as it was bought today for 94.3 lek and sold for 95.5 lek according to the local exchange rate compared......
US, record profits from arms sales - Exports to allies increased by 29% in 2024
US arms sales to allied countries reached a record $318.7 billion in 2024. The increase in demand is related to the need to replenish stocks sent to Ukraine......
