EU AGAIN FAILS TO APPROVE NEW SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, DIPLOMATS SAY
Efforts to impose a fresh round of European Union sanctions on Russia have stalled once again, according to EU diplomats, exposing deep divisions among member states over the scope, impact, and strategic direction of the bloc’s response to Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The proposed 14th package of sanctions, which includes measures targeting Russian energy exports, technology access, and financial institutions, failed to gain unanimous support during recent negotiations in Brussels. Diplomats close to the talks cited political disagreements, legal concerns, and fears over economic fallout as the key reasons behind the impasse.
“All member states must agree for sanctions to pass, and we simply don’t have that consensus right now,” said one senior EU official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Some countries are pushing for much stronger action, while others are worried about the potential blowback to their own economies.”
Countries such as Poland, the Baltic states, and the Netherlands have advocated for tougher penalties on Russia’s oil and gas trade, as well as restrictions on key imports like liquid natural gas (LNG), aluminum, and rare earth metals. However, Hungary and Slovakia — both heavily reliant on Russian energy — have expressed strong reservations, arguing that the proposed measures would hurt their domestic industries and energy security.
Hungary, in particular, has emerged as a major obstacle, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán maintaining close ties with the Kremlin and repeatedly blocking EU actions that he deems counterproductive. Orbán’s government has used its veto power to water down or delay previous sanctions, frustrating fellow EU members and drawing criticism from Kyiv and Brussels alike.
The sanctions package under discussion also includes steps to crack down on circumvention — a growing concern among EU policymakers. Reports suggest that European goods and technology are still reaching Russia through third-party countries, especially in Central Asia and the Caucasus, where enforcement is weaker. The proposed package aims to tighten export controls and enhance monitoring of dual-use items, such as semiconductors and drone components.
Despite the failure to reach an agreement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to holding Russia accountable. “We will continue to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes,” she said during a press conference in Brussels. “Sanctions remain one of our most powerful tools, but unity is essential.”
The delay in new sanctions comes at a sensitive time, as Ukraine faces mounting pressure on the battlefield amid ammunition shortages and intensified Russian assaults in the east. Kyiv has repeatedly urged Western allies to ramp up economic pressure on Moscow, arguing that sanctions must keep pace with Russia’s evolving war strategy.
Analysts warn that failure to approve the sanctions could damage the EU’s credibility and signal weakness to the Kremlin. “Every delay sends the wrong message,” said Dr. Elina Novak, a European security expert. “It creates the perception that Europe is divided and unwilling to make hard choices.”
While negotiations are expected to continue, the latest stalemate underscores the challenges the EU faces in balancing unity, economic interests, and geopolitical principles as it confronts the most serious security crisis on the continent since World War II.