Jun 30, 2025
Slovakia and Hungary are obstructing the adoption of the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, an anonymous diplomat from a key EU country told news outlet European Pravda on June 30.
According to the diplomat, Hungary followed Slovakia’s lead in calling for a delay in approving the sanctions package. Bratislava is demanding guarantees from the EU following the planned complete phase-out of Russian gas by 2028. Budapest, however, has not specified any conditions for supporting the sanctions, the source said.
European Pravda reported that discussions on the anti-Russian measures at the ambassadorial level will not resume before July 3, when an EU delegation is scheduled to visit Slovakia.
On June 26, the European Council failed to approve the 18th sanctions package against Russia, reportedly due to Slovakia’s veto. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated he requested a postponement of the vote.
The proposed package included a ban on transactions related to the Nord Stream pipelines, a reduction of the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, and a prohibition on the export of dual-use technologies and goods.
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