Poland, which will assume the EU presidency in January, hopes to revive the discussions that stalled when Hungary was in charge.
According to a report from Politico, the European Union is preparing to restart discussions on strengthening sanctions towards Russia after Hungary’s presidency ends in January 2025.
Poland’s rotating presidency is anticipated by EU member states, who hope to tighten restrictions on Russian energy imports and close loopholes within existing sanctions in the midst of the ongoing Russo Ukrainian war. Poland has already indicated its intention to concentrate on these issues during the six-month stint as leader. According to diplomats and government officials, the current situation has seen the momentum of sanctions stall under Hungary’s direction. The pro-Russian prime minister Viktor Orban is using his country’s presidency to bring sanctions talks to a virtual stop.
According to Politico Krzysztof Bolesta, Poland’s Minister for Climate and Environment, expressed concern about the increasing imports of Russian Energy at a recent Luxembourg meeting.
“This is a very bad sign.” Bolesta said that we need to address this.
Unidentified senior EU diplomats, speaking to Politico anonymously, described the Hungarian presidency in a negative light and expressed their hope that Hungary’s blockages would be addressed urgently under a new leadership.
It is expected that the focus will shift to refining existing measures rather than introducing completely new ones. David O’Sullivan has said that discussions could include extending sanctions to EU company’s foreign subsidiaries, the so-called no Russia clause.
Poland is also pushing to increase transparency in the EU regarding Russian fossil fuel imports. The document obtained by Politico advocates for stricter controls on the origin of the gas entering the EU in order to ensure full traceability.
However, challenges remain. All new sanctions will still require unanimous approval by EU members. Hungary is likely to continue to use its veto. Before member states can discuss new measures, the European Commission must also propose them.
At a recent summit of European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present. Member states pledged to “further restrict Russia’s capability to wage war, by including further sanctions.”
Related:
Energy imports, Viktor Orban and Krzysztof Bolesta, Ukraine, EU presidency, Russia sanctions
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