EU foreign ministers reportedly agreed to new sanctions against Russia. But Hungary is again demanding an end to existing ones. Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg speaks out against new measures in the energy sector.
In response to the partial mobilization, the EU wants to tighten its sanctions against Russia. Foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states agreed to this on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said states had made the political decision to adopt new sectoral and individual measures. In addition, the EU will continue to support Ukraine with more weapons.
However, there was immediate opposition from Hungary, an EU country. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called for EU sanctions to be lifted by the end of the year, a government spokesman confirmed. Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet quoted Orbán as saying that EU sanctions have increased gas prices and inflation. If these measures were lifted, gas prices would immediately fall by 50% and inflation would also fall. The EU Commission must first come up with proposals for an eighth sanctions package before Community member states have to unanimously decide on it.
Von der Leyen announces more export controls
Following an interview with the US broadcaster, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told CNN in writing: “We are ready to impose more economic costs on Russia and on individuals and institutions inside and outside Russia that support her policy. or economically, we will propose more civilian technology export controls as Russia moves towards a full war economy.”
The new EU sanctions against Russia could also include a price cap on Russian oil. A diamond embargo is also under discussion, as Brussels diplomats confirmed to the AFP news agency.
Cyprus worried about oil price ceiling
In the EU, especially Greece and Cyprus, whose shipping companies also deliver Russian oil to third countries, would have to be persuaded of a maximum price for Russian oil. All sanctions require a unanimous decision by member countries. Under the German presidency, the G7 countries had already spoken out in favor of a global oil price ceiling in early September.
There could also be a ban on importing Russian diamonds into the EU. Belgium, with its commercial center of Antwerp, would be particularly affected. In July, EU countries had already imposed a gold embargo on Russia.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) referred in “ZiB2” to previous EU sanctions packages: “What you might think now is loophole closures and clarification.” As for further steps, “for example, in the energy sector, especially gas, there will be a clear ‘no’ from Austria,” Schallenberg said, confirming Austria’s earlier line.
The EU foreign ministers’ meeting came hours after Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s first wartime deployment since World War II. Borrell said the Russian president’s announcement showed panic and despair. “It is clear that Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine,” Borrell told reporters.
Decision not until mid-October
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba briefed EU Foreign Ministers on the situation in Ukraine at their meeting. The ministers agreed to prepare an eighth sanctions package. Borrell said the new sanctions target key sectors of Russia’s economy and individuals responsible for the war of aggression against Ukraine. The next formal meeting of EU foreign ministers is scheduled for mid-October. Then the eighth sanctions package could be formalized.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of the seven major industrialized nations have announced that they intend to increase their support for Ukraine. “We reaffirm the cooperation of the G7 countries in supporting Ukraine and ensuring food and energy security,” Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told a news conference in New York. As part of additional sanctions against Russia, Japan will ban, among other things, the export of products that could be used for chemical weapons to Russia.
(APA/Portal/dpa)