Hungary and Slovakia Threaten to Block EU’s 18th Sanctions Package Over Russian Energy Ban

Hungary and Slovakia have jointly signaled their intent to block the European Union’s proposed 18th package of sanctions against Russia, objecting to measures that would phase out imports of Russian gas and oil.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to Politico.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó declared that both Budapest and Bratislava could not support the sanctions plan in its current form, as it includes a gradual ban on Russian fossil fuel imports – a move he said would severely undermine energy security in both countries.

“The EU is seeking to prevent member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, from continuing to purchase affordable Russian natural gas and oil, as we have done for years,” Szijjártó stated. “We cannot accept measures that disregard our national interests and energy realities.”

The EU’s latest sanctions proposal, presented by the European Commission last week, aims to legally prohibit imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2027. 

It also targets refined oil products processed from Russian crude in countries such as India, China, and Turkey as a part of a broader strategy to curb Moscow’s energy revenues.

While sanctions packages require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, Hungarian and Slovak objections reflect long-standing divisions within the EU over how far to go in reducing dependence on Russian energy.

Szijjártó emphasized that any support from his country would be contingent upon the removal of the gas ban clause. 

Despite the tensions, EU officials remain cautiously hopeful. A senior diplomat, speaking to Politico on condition of anonymity, downplayed the dispute, calling it “part of ongoing negotiations.”

“This isn’t a formal veto, at least not yet,” the official said. “We expect today’s discussions to help pave the way toward a compromise before the European Council meets on Thursday.”

The upcoming summit in Brussels is expected to focus heavily on the EU’s foreign policy agenda, including continued support for Ukraine and the next steps in tightening pressure on the Kremlin.

Read more on The Gaze: Are Ukraine’s Allies Ready to Take Sanctions Against Russia to the Next Level in 2025?