The European Union is currently discussing the 11th round of sanctions against Russia. While the previous 10 sanctions packages focused on measures to drain Vladimir Putin’s budget, Brussels now wants to avoid its sanctions. In an unprecedented step for the alliance, the current package would help Moscow avoid trade sanctions targeting other countries.
But Budapest and Athens made it conditional on Kiev addressing its objections to the sensitive issue of several EU private companies that Ukraine accuses of collaborating with Russia and aiding the invasion of Ukraine.
Hungary and Greece must delist some of their companies before agreeing to the sanctions package. Although the issues are generally unrelated, Hungary and Greece have used the political leverage of sanctions to remove their companies from the Ukrainian list.
According to diplomats attending a meeting of EU foreign ministers earlier this week, German Minister Annalena Baerbach directly criticized Hungary for this. Four ambassadors said the Greek blockade was at the center of the debate at this week’s meeting of EU ambassadors.
“Greece reiterated that if there is concrete evidence of a violation of sanctions, it should be brought to the attention of the member states concerned, which will be properly investigated and appropriate action will be taken,” an EU diplomat said.
Greece believes the Ukrainian list is damaging the Greek economy because the list includes Greek companies that, according to Athens, have not violated anti-Russian sanctions. EU diplomats insist their level of frustration with Budapest is high because its pro-Russian and pro-Chinese stance prevents the EU from reaching consensus on matters involving Moscow and Beijing. Budapest also blocked the approval of the eighth tranche of EU money to withdraw military aid to Ukraine.
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