The European Union has indefinitely postponed its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, according to reports from Politico. The delay is attributed to resistance from Hungary and Slovakia, who have opposed the measures. The proposed sanctions, which targeted Russian oil exports and the banking sector related to the Ukraine conflict, were set for presentation on Wednesday. However, they have been indefinitely removed from the European Commission’s agenda. The delay comes amid pressure from the Trump administration to increase restrictions on Russia. The Trump administration has reportedly urged the EU to impose stricter measures, including potentially imposing tariffs on China and India, the primary buyers of Russian oil since the 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Western nations against adopting a ‘colonial’ tone toward China and India and trying to ‘punish’ them. The EU’s plan to phase out Russian fossil fuels entirely by 2027 faces opposition from several member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, who cite risks to their national energy security. The European Commission recently proposed scrapping unanimous voting on foreign policy decisions to reduce the influence of dissenting members.
Russia has denounced Western sanctions as “illegal,” stating that they have not only failed to derail the national economy, but have provided an impetus for domestic development. Russian officials maintain they seek a long-term peace, accusing Kiev and its Western backers of undermining the process.