20th round of EU sanctions against Russia: After Hungary, the US and G7 also hold back as Czechia signals support

The EU’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia faces resistance on three fronts: the EU has reportedly been unable to secure the coordinated support of the United States and other G7 partners for new restrictions on Russian oil shipments, while Hungary is threatening to block the package in the EU with a separate dispute over oil shipments through Ukraine. The socialist Slovak government is halting electricity exports to Ukraine.

EU sanctions against Russia includes tougher ideas on oil shipping services

According to Anadolu, a diplomatic source in Brussels said the European Union has failed to secure support from the United States and other G7 countries for a coordinated effort to block Russian oil deliveries under its proposed 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions, a report Monday said.

The source, who spoke to the Russian state news agency Tass, said Brussels presented the proposal to Washington and other G7 capitals as part of efforts to expand restrictions targeting the transport and servicing of Russian oil shipments.

“The EU presented to the US and G7 its plan to fully prohibit European businesses from transporting Russian oil and providing any kind of maintenance, supply, financing and insurance services to tankers that transport Russian oil, no matter what flag they are flying. The European Commission invited partners to impose similar restrictions on their companies. The United States refused,” the diplomat said.

He further said that he “does not exclude the possibility of Washington imposing its own measures in due time and on its own terms.”

“Other G7 partners said that joining the EU sanctions was possible but stopped short of giving any clear promises,” the source added.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has emerged as the world’s most sanctioned nation, surpassing Iran, Syria and North Korea.

According to sanctions-tracking databases, more than 16,500 restrictive measures have been imposed on Moscow targeting individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft.

Hungary links its support to Druzhba pipeline flows

As we wrote earlier, Hungary has said it is prepared to block the 20th round of EU sanctions against Russia unless oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline resumes. Shipments on the line supplying Hungary and Slovakia have been disrupted since 27 January, with Kyiv saying a Russian strike hit infrastructure, while Budapest and Bratislava blame Ukraine for failing to restore flows. Details: Hungary blocks EU sanctions package over halted Ukrainian oil deliveries

Because EU sanctions require unanimity among all 27 member states, Hungary’s stance can delay or derail the package if no compromise is found.

The Slovak government’s ultimatum expired at midnight, so today the Slovak electricity supplier will stop emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine after Ukraine failed to resume oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.

Czechia says it will not join a potential veto

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček said Czechia will not join Hungary in threatening to block the planned sanctions package, according to Czech Radio’s English service.

Background for foreign readers: why unanimity and energy exemptions matter

The EU’s sanctions packages are adopted unanimously, which gives individual capitals significant influence in negotiations. Due to their geographical location and refinery structure, Hungary and Slovakia are the EU member states most dependent on oil transported through Russian pipelines, and they were previously granted exemptions from the EU’s broader efforts to phase out Russian energy imports, but they have not sought to reduce their dependence on Russian energy in the meantime and have profited greatly from it.

Often left alone, the Hungarian government regularly exercises its veto power in joint EU decisions, slowing down EU decisions and, according to critics, helping the aggressor Russia.

As we wrote yesterday, Cheap Russian oil, expensive Hungarian fuel: drivers pay more than Austrians despite government strategy

Also important news, Hungary threatens to block EUR 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine over stalled oil supplies