Hungary and Slovakia block 18th package of sanctions against Russia
Photo: Péter Szijjártó (Getty Images)
Hungary and Slovakia have decided not to support the European Union's plan for the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó says.
"We did this because the European Union ... wants to prohibit member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, from purchasing cheap Russian natural gas and cheap Russian oil as they have done previously," Szijjártó says.
Hungary and Slovakia maintain warm relations with Moscow and continue to buy Russian gas and oil.
18th sanctions against Russia
The European Commission on June 10 proposed a new package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The package targets Moscow's energy revenues, its banks, and its military industry.
In response, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that Slovakia would not support the sanctions package unless the European Commission finds a solution to the situation that Slovakia will face if the bloc gradually stops importing Russian energy.
Unanimity in the bloc is required to approve the sanctions proposals.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called on the EU to remove the issue of a ban on Russian energy supplies from the agenda due to the expected rise in energy prices after the US bombing of Iran.
