Media: Hungary drops bid for Russian gas exemption in new EU sanctions plan

Hungary has declined to support special conditions regarding Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) within the European Commission’s plan for a complete ban on such imports from January 2027 under the forthcoming 19th sanctions package, EUObserver reported, citing diplomatic sources.

According to the report, Budapest, which had previously sought an exemption to continue receiving Russian gas, ultimately refrained from raising objections during a meeting of EU ambassadors.

Unnamed sources noted that the main obstacles to the adoption of the new sanctions package are now Slovakia and Austria.

Bratislava is reportedly considering concessions that could be made either before the meeting of EU foreign ministers on October 20 or ahead of the EU summit scheduled for October 23.

Austria, however, maintains its demand for a “special derogation” allowing the unfreezing of €2 billion in Russian assets for transfer to Raiffeisen Bank. This proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Germany and ten other EU member states, who argue that granting such an exception could undermine the unity of the sanctions policy and potentially trigger a veto of the entire package.

The EU foreign ministers will review the comprehensive ban on purchases of Russian hydrocarbons, along with the full 19th package of sanctions against Russia, during their meeting on October 20.

By Tamilla Hasanova