European Union imposes sanctions on Russian officials amid Hungarys funding block

European Union Fails to Approve Additional Sanctions and Loan for Ukraine

The European Council announced that it has imposed sanctions on eight Russian individuals suspected of human rights violations, but failed to agree on a 20th package targeting the Russian authorities more broadly. The EU also failed to approve a $106 billion loan for Ukraine.

The sanctions target individuals responsible for sentencing prominent Russian activists on politically motivated charges and heads of penal colonies where political prisoners were held in inhuman conditions. The measures include banning travel to or transiting through the EU, freezing assets, and prohibiting EU citizens and companies from making funds available to them.

Hungary vetoed the additional sanctions, citing concerns over Ukraine’s delay in restarting oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary claims that Kyiv is delaying the process, which would impact Hungarian energy security. Ukrainian officials have denied this claim, stating that a Russian drone strike damaged the pipeline and they are working to repair it.

The EU foreign policy chief stated that the failure to approve the new package was a setback, but work on sanctions continues. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Hungary and Slovakia to engage in constructive cooperation, saying they should not hold the entire EU hostage. An analyst at the Foreign Policy Research Institute noted that the loan is crucial for Ukraine’s ability to finance itself during the conflict.

The European Council will continue to work on sanctions and other measures related to Russia. The $106 billion loan for Ukraine remains pending approval.

Source: Al Jazeera