European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the proposals on Tuesday, also committing to supporting a reduction in the $60-per-barrel oil price cap at a meeting of G7 leaders in Canada this weekend.
“The reaction was not as negative behind closed doors,” said one diplomat, granted anonymity to speak about the sensitive discussions.
Two EU diplomats told POLITICO the European Commission was taking a tougher and more uncompromising approach to this round of sanctions.
While it would normally avoid suggesting ideas that would lead to a veto, this time the EU executive appears to be less concerned.
The second diplomat assured the Commission “wouldn’t propose if they don’t see options” for the package to be adopted.
GDAŃSK, Poland — The bloc’s most Kremlin-friendly nations threaten to exercise their right of veto, posing a serious threat to the European Union’s plans to impose heavy restrictions on Russian banks and energy companies.
Robert Fico, Slovakia’s populist prime minister, stated on Wednesday that he would not back attempts to target the money Russia uses to finance its war in Ukraine “unless the European Commission gives it a realistic solution to the crisis situation Slovakia will find itself in after the full stoppage of gas, oil, and nuclear fuel supplies from Russia.”. “.”.
In addition, Viktor Orbán, the hard-right leader of Hungary, has made repeated threats to thwart further EU sanctions on Russian energy, which need the consent of all 27 members.
The new package of measures, the 18th to be implemented since the start of the full-scale conflict, would target companies connected to the Nord Stream pipelines and compel Brussels to prohibit third-country imports of fuel refined from Russian oil in addition to placing restrictions on Russian banks.
At a meeting of G7 leaders in Canada this weekend, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the proposals on Tuesday and pledged to support a lower cap on the price of oil at $60 per barrel.
Capitals would have to negotiate an agreement before a meeting of leaders on June 27. Poland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, has stated its desire to enact the package before ceding the position to Denmark on July 1.
Ignacy Niemczycki, Poland’s secretary of state for Europe, declared, “We will make every effort to have the new sanctions adopted while the country is still in the presidency.”.
behind closed doors.
To discuss the proposals, ambassadors convened in Brussels on Tuesday night. One diplomat, who was given anonymity to discuss the delicate conversations, claimed that “the reaction was not as negative behind closed doors.”. “A deal can be reached, but we will need to see what Slovakia and Hungary want. “.”.
A new roadmap for phasing out Russian energy, which sets a 2027 deadline for the phaseout of all gas imports, must be supported concurrently by the EU. On June 17, comprehensive legal proposals are anticipated to be released; however, Budapest and Bratislava have demanded exceptions.
According to two EU diplomats who spoke to POLITICO, the European Commission is imposing sanctions in a more severe and unyielding manner. Normally, the EU executive would refrain from putting forward proposals that could result in a veto, but this time, it seems less worried.
At least von der Leyen can arrive at the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, fresh off a major sanctions announcement, giving Washington the opportunity to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in dialogue and make peace with Ukraine.
But as of right now, U. A. The proposal put forth by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to impose a 500 percent tariff on nations that purchase energy from Russia has not received much attention from President Donald Trump.
Regarding the most recent proposal from the Commission, one of them stated, “It’s definitely different.”. In addition to expressing their goals during a press conference, they are ambitious. Von der Leyen runs the risk of coming across as weak if there is no deal. “”.
The deadline is probably later this month, as the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on June 26–27 draws near.
The Commission “wouldn’t propose if they don’t see options” for the package’s adoption, the second diplomat promised. Fico’s threats did not deter them. “We don’t see any reason why we can’t get another package; we currently have seventeen.”. “.”.
Both diplomats anticipated that a deal would be possible because Hungary and Slovakia were less outspoken in private than they were in public.
Gavin, Gabriel, reported from Gdańsk. Brussels was the reporting location for Koen Verhelst.
