EU extends Russian sanctions amid Hungary's concerns over gas
Foreign ministers of EU countries unanimously decided in Brussels on Monday to extend economic sanctions on Russia, which were initially set to expire this coming Friday. Hungary, which had previously blocked the extension, received assurances that the European Commission will continue negotiating with Ukraine regarding potential gas transit options.
Due to the risk of a decision being blocked by Hungary, a meeting of ambassadors from member states took place in Brussels on Monday morning, even before the ministers' meeting. This early gathering was a preventative measure.
According to an EU source, Hungary was to receive guarantees during this meeting from the European Commission regarding negotiations with Ukraine on gas transit. The Commission committed to continuing talks and also agreed to include Hungary and Slovakia in these discussions.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, stated before the start of the ministers' meeting that he expects official guarantees from the European Commission concerning the security of gas supplies. Ukraine had decided not to renew the contract for the transit of Russian gas, which expired at the end of the year.
Budapest had previously blocked the extension of economic sanctions imposed on Russia due to the war in Ukraine, linking this stance to the change of administration in the United States. After Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the USA, Hungary began demanding assurances regarding the transit of gas through Ukraine.
If the member states had not made a unanimous decision to extend the sanctions, which occurs every six months, the restrictions would have expired at the end of January.
