Hungary blocks Russia sanctions
On the day before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has vetoed tougher sanctions against Russia at the EU foreign ministers' meeting. Together with Slovakia it accuses Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba pipeline. The 20th package of sanctions, which is now on hold, is directed against Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers and energy revenues. A loan already approved by the EU summit is also in limbo.
Crass lack of solidarity
Jydske Vestkysten is outraged:
“While most EU countries want to help Ukraine, two countries are fighting to be allowed to continue buying Russian oil. In other words, they are fighting to put money directly into Putin's war chest. ... The EU has decided to assume primary responsibility for Ukraine's economy. And now it is Trump's best friends in Europe - Orbán in Hungary and Fico in Slovakia - who are undermining Europe's fight for freedom.”
The EU has lost its sense of what is doable
For the taz, pinning all the blame on Orbán is too simplistic:
“Slovakia and the Czech Republic have also spoken out against the new 90-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine. And even Greece and Malta have serious reservations about the new sanctions package. And the G7, the group of (formerly) largest industrialised countries, is not on board either. The US and Canada say the planned total ban on services for Russian oil tankers goes too far. ... The EU leadership, which has apparently lost its sense of what is doable, is also partly to blame. It's pushing for even more sanctions, even more money and even more weapons for Ukraine - but it still has no plan of its own to end the war. This is another reason why the pressure is mounting.”
Seek a consensus
Pravda calls for understanding:
“As we mark the sad fourth anniversary of the outbreak of war, sparks are now flying on Ukraine's western borders, too. Kyiv is already engaged in an open cold war with Budapest and Bratislava. ... The row over oil supplies has been blown out of proportion. On the one hand, Kyiv should abide by the rules and respect the agreements. How else can it seriously hope to join the EU and function within it? ... On the other hand, Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán should show more understanding for the situation of their eastern neighbour, to the extent that they show any at all. Their cold stance is often unbearable. It offends the suffering Ukrainian people. They still essentially ignore the fact that the pipeline was bombed by the Russians.”