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Saturday, Mar 15, 2025
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EU Overcomes Hungary's Veto to Renew Sanctions on Russia
In a last-minute diplomatic effort, the EU renews restrictive measures against 2,000 individuals and 500 entities linked to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Brussels – The European Union has successfully renewed its sanctions against Russia, narrowly overcoming a potential veto from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The sanctions target nearly 2,000 individuals and approximately 500 entities as part of the EU's ongoing response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On the brink of blocking the six-month renewal of these measures, Hungary's Orbán set the removal of nine names from the sanctions list as a condition for lifting his veto.
Ultimately, a deal was reached late on Friday, resulting in the removal of four individuals and three deceased from the list, ensuring the renewal was affirmed by the remaining 26 member states.
The individuals removed include oligarch Vyacheslav Kantor, businessman Vladimir Rashevsky, Gulbakhor Ismailova, sister of Alisher Usmanov, and Russia's Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev.
The deceased removed are veteran politician Nikolai Ryzhkov and military figures Andrei Ermishko and Aleksei Bolshakov.
Crucially, sanctions against Ukrainian-born oligarch Mikhail Fridman remain in place despite Hungary's insistence on his removal.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the EU's commitment to increasing pressure on Russia, asserting that the sanctions now encompass approximately 2,400 individuals and entities involved in the conflict.
Von der Leyen stated that this renewal reflects the EU's resolve in light of ongoing Russian aggression.
The sanctions specifically target those responsible for undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity, promoting significant restrictions such as travel bans and asset freezes within EU territory.
Prominent figures on the sanctions list include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, members of the Russian Duma, the National Security Council, local politicians such as Moscow's mayor, military leaders, and associates of the Wagner Group.
Additionally, individuals from Iran, Belarus, and North Korea are included in the sanctions.
The sanctions measures have been incrementally increased since the onset of the war in February 2022, totaling 16 distinct packages aimed at mobilizing economic and diplomatic pressure against Russia.
These actions have resulted in the freezing of around €200 billion in Russian assets and bans on various imports and exports, fundamentally disrupting Moscow's financial connections with the West.
This latest development underscores Budapest’s contentious relationship with EU consensus on issues related to Ukraine, reflecting a pattern of Orbán's diplomatic maneuvers that have previously raised questions about Hungary's stance on sanctions against Russia, particularly seen earlier this year when he threatened to veto sanctions in exchange for guarantees regarding gas supply through Ukraine.
On the brink of blocking the six-month renewal of these measures, Hungary's Orbán set the removal of nine names from the sanctions list as a condition for lifting his veto.
Ultimately, a deal was reached late on Friday, resulting in the removal of four individuals and three deceased from the list, ensuring the renewal was affirmed by the remaining 26 member states.
The individuals removed include oligarch Vyacheslav Kantor, businessman Vladimir Rashevsky, Gulbakhor Ismailova, sister of Alisher Usmanov, and Russia's Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev.
The deceased removed are veteran politician Nikolai Ryzhkov and military figures Andrei Ermishko and Aleksei Bolshakov.
Crucially, sanctions against Ukrainian-born oligarch Mikhail Fridman remain in place despite Hungary's insistence on his removal.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the EU's commitment to increasing pressure on Russia, asserting that the sanctions now encompass approximately 2,400 individuals and entities involved in the conflict.
Von der Leyen stated that this renewal reflects the EU's resolve in light of ongoing Russian aggression.
The sanctions specifically target those responsible for undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity, promoting significant restrictions such as travel bans and asset freezes within EU territory.
Prominent figures on the sanctions list include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, members of the Russian Duma, the National Security Council, local politicians such as Moscow's mayor, military leaders, and associates of the Wagner Group.
Additionally, individuals from Iran, Belarus, and North Korea are included in the sanctions.
The sanctions measures have been incrementally increased since the onset of the war in February 2022, totaling 16 distinct packages aimed at mobilizing economic and diplomatic pressure against Russia.
These actions have resulted in the freezing of around €200 billion in Russian assets and bans on various imports and exports, fundamentally disrupting Moscow's financial connections with the West.
This latest development underscores Budapest’s contentious relationship with EU consensus on issues related to Ukraine, reflecting a pattern of Orbán's diplomatic maneuvers that have previously raised questions about Hungary's stance on sanctions against Russia, particularly seen earlier this year when he threatened to veto sanctions in exchange for guarantees regarding gas supply through Ukraine.
