New sanctions against Russia stuck in limbo over Greek-Hungarian protest
WORLD 28 May 2023 - 08:01
According to an article published by Politico, an odd couple is holding back a deal on new sanctions against Russia. Caliber.Az reprints this article.
After largely playing solo in its opposition against Russian sanctions, Budapest is now getting support from Athens in its scepticism over the freshest measures against Russia, five EU diplomats told POLITICO.
The EU is currently discussing its 11th sanctions package against Russia after the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago. Whereas the 10 previous sanctions packages focused on measures to empty Vladimir Putin’s war chest, Brussels now wants to avoid its sanctions being circumvented. In an unprecedented step for the bloc, the current package could target other countries helping Moscow dodge its trade embargo.
But Budapest and Athens have thrown a collective spanner in the works by linking their approval for the package to a separate thorny issue involving Ukraine. Kyiv has compiled a list of private companies it calls "war sponsors,” which includes a number of European companies.
The odd couple wants some of their companies struck off this list before they will agree to the sanctions package. While these issues normally aren’t linked, Hungary and Greece are using the sanctions package as political leverage to get their companies off Ukraine’s list.
This sparked tensions at a meeting of EU foreign ministers earlier this week, where German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock directly criticised Hungary, according to diplomats familiar with the exchange.
At a meeting of EU ambassadors on May 24, Greece was very much at the forefront of the discussion, four of the diplomats said. Athens pushed back against suggestions of sanction circumvention.
“Greece reiterated that, should there be concrete evidence of violation of sanctions, these should be brought to the attention of the member states concerned, at the technical level, so that this be adequately investigated and then due action will be taken,” an EU diplomat familiar with the dossier said. “In the case of the Ukrainian name-and-shame list, the Greek companies are accused as International War Sponsors even though they are not violating the restrictive measures against Russia.”
Another EU diplomat said that while they empathized with the Greek position, “the question is how much does it damage [their economy], and Greece says it's very damaging. We don't have a problem with that position — but independently of that we of course want the next sanctions package."
Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, has already vowed to work through the differences on the Ukrainian list. Two of the diplomats said it is now up to him to work with the Ukrainians on a solution.
No deal in sight
Another EU diplomat said that, as long as Hungary and Greece refuse to agree on anything before their companies are off the list, “there is no pressure to really move on the other parts either.”
Yet diplomats also say they look at Athens and Budapest differently. The level of frustration with Budapest is much higher, given its pro-Russia and pro-China line has often prevented the EU from reaching unanimity on statements on Moscow and Beijing. It is also blocking the approval of an eighth tranche of EU money to reimburse military aid to Ukraine.
The Bolashak oil plant on the offshore oil field near Atyrau, Kazakhstan
A new version of the package, sent to EU envoys on May 24 and seen by POLITICO, does not include major changes. The third draft adapts some technical language regarding the release of frozen assets and clarifies that Kazakh oil can still be sent through the Druzhba pipeline to Europe. It also adds more than 50 additional Russian companies for which EU authorities cannot authorize transfers of dual-use goods and technology to compared to a previous version of the sanctions draft.
At both meetings this week, Germany and others were again sceptical about naming and shaming other countries, as they are afraid it would hurt diplomatic relations or drive other countries suspected of facilitating sanctions busting into the arms of Russia or China.
It’s not clear yet when EU envoys will discuss the sanctions package again. Two of the diplomats said there is consensus about one thing: to agree on the package in the end.
But with no clear deadline yet, it could be a while before the diplomats make substantive progress. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on May 22 that the package has to be wrapped up by the next Foreign Affairs Council — but that is not until June 26 and falls just a few days before the meeting of European heads of state and government at the end of the month. However, some of the diplomats pushed back against that suggestion, saying a deal has to come sooner to avoid embarrassing the EU.
Caliber.Az
1
|
20 points. What did Armenia, the EU and the US agree on in Brussels? Sensational details on Caliber.Az
17 April 2024 - 11:01
|
2
|
Times: UK, Armenia hold talks on sending illegal migrants to Armenia
15 April 2024 - 10:00
|
3
|
"Historical" Armenia vs. present-day Armenia Unveiling the conundrum
15 April 2024 - 09:11
|
4
|
Caliber.Az to reveal sensational details of "Brussels meeting" Important announcement
16 April 2024 - 12:09
|
5
|
Iran seeks international backing following missile strikes on Israel Raisi calls Russia & Qatari leaders amid tension
17 April 2024 - 16:56
|
More efficient than hydrogen and produces more energy
chemical element we had ignored18 April 2024 - 07:03
At Chinese trade fair, exporters despair their goods - "as cheap as cabbage"
18 April 2024 - 05:04
Europe restarts magnesium mining to counter reliance on China
18 April 2024 - 03:05
Lithuania, Rheinmetall sign agreement for 155mm ammunition plant
18 April 2024 - 01:03
Want to move to Europe?
17 April 2024 - 23:00
IDF strikes Hezbollah military facilities in Lebanon
17 April 2024 - 21:18
Georgian PM accuses country’s President of being an “agent of foreign influence”
In rebuke on transparency bill17 April 2024 - 21:15
Azerbaijan to showcase climate change adaptation at COP29
FAO official says17 April 2024 - 21:10
Swiss parliament wants ban on extremist symbols
17 April 2024 - 20:58
Protest rally against foreign agents bill resumes in Tbilisi
17 April 2024 - 20:50
UK urges European countries to increase defence spending
17 April 2024 - 20:45
AZAL, DFS aviation services forge key partnership to equip Lachin airport
17 April 2024 - 20:33
Turkish FM, Hamas leader discuss Gaza aid, cease-fire
17 April 2024 - 20:20
Russian peacekeepers' mission in Karabakh accomplished
Member of State Duma says17 April 2024 - 20:08
Tackling 10 prejudices about hydrogen following Clean Transition Dialogues
17 April 2024 - 20:00
Azerbaijani Ombudswoman raises mine issue in liberated territories at meeting with UNDP rep
17 April 2024 - 19:53
Azerbaijan, Tatarstan forge stronger ties across trade, innovation, humanitarian endeavors
17 April 2024 - 19:40
Azerbaijani FM, CICMA executive director engage on chairmanship priorities & collaboration
17 April 2024 - 19:32
Azerbaijan plans Europe-bound exports of green hydrogen made in "recently liberated territories"
Article by Hydrogen Insight17 April 2024 - 19:28
UK PM Sunak plans to create "smoke-free generation" with tough measures on tobacco
17 April 2024 - 19:13
Azerbaijan and Albania announce visa-free regime
Legislative progress underway17 April 2024 - 18:59
Azerbaijan, Tatarstan discuss developmental directions of economic partnership
17 April 2024 - 18:46
OSCE Chair-in-Office due in Azerbaijan
17 April 2024 - 18:30
Armenia's economy lacks development
Expert highlights concerns17 April 2024 - 18:15
Azerbaijan's Air Force, Air Defence Forces conduct tactical exercises in Nakhchivan
Video, Photo footage from drills17 April 2024 - 18:01
UN continues support for Azerbaijan's demining efforts in Karabakh region
17 April 2024 - 17:48
Azerbaijani president designates Shusha as 2024 Youth Capital of OIC
Action plan underway17 April 2024 - 17:35
Czech Republic collects 500,000 shells for Ukraine
17 April 2024 - 17:23
President: Iran’s operation shatters Israeli military’s invincibility myth
17 April 2024 - 17:10
Iran seeks international backing following missile strikes on Israel
Raisi calls Russia & Qatari leaders amid tension17 April 2024 - 16:56
Georgian parliament approves draft law on foreign agents
17 April 2024 - 16:41
Azerbaijan, Israel discuss energy cooperation
17 April 2024 - 16:27
Is Ukraine on the edge?
Big vulnerabilities17 April 2024 - 16:13
Azerbaijan, Pakistan discuss defence cooperation
17 April 2024 - 15:59
United States enhances support for Armenia
17 April 2024 - 15:45
EU interested in Azerbaijan's development of Middle Corridor
PHOTO17 April 2024 - 15:31
President Aliyev, Kairat Sarybay discuss COP29, green transport concept
17 April 2024 - 15:27
President’s aide confirms Russian peacekeepers’ withdrawal from Azerbaijan
The process has already started!17 April 2024 - 15:19
French ambassador recalled from Azerbaijan amidst bilateral strain
Macron admits defeat17 April 2024 - 15:19
Hereditary Azerbaijanophobe in Armenia and his provocations
17 April 2024 - 15:04