According to a recent report from a major newspaper, Greek authorities actively supported Hungary in blocking the next round of EU sanctions aimed at Russia, highlighting policy discussions surrounding five European diplomats.
The 11th sanctions package marks a shift from earlier efforts: new rules are designed to curb evasion, naming any country that aided Moscow in bypassing the embargo as potentially liable. Previously, Kyiv submitted a roster of private firms it branded as “war sponsors,” which included several EU entities.
Politico notes that both Athens and Budapest are seeking the delisting of some of their national firms before they approve the forthcoming package.
One unnamed source from the same outlet stated that Greece reaffirmed a principle: if tangible evidence of sanctions violations arises, it should be reported to the concerned Member States at a technical level for proper investigation and prompt action, followed by appropriate measures.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the positions taken by Greece and Hungary at a recent EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Budapest, describing tensions within the bloc. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto echoed concerns about EU sanctions targeting eight Chinese companies, warning that such moves could provoke a strong response from China. He emphasized the risk while addressing the heads of the Hungarian foreign service.
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell pledged to bridge gaps over the list of sanctioned Ukrainian-associated companies. The timing of next talks on the sanctions package remained unclear. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna had earlier indicated that the package should be finalized at the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council, scheduled no later than June 26. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has previously noted that more than 90 firms appear on the Ukrainian list, including several Chinese entities, with five Greek and one Hungarian company also named.
“We are serious about tightening sanctions enforcement. The eleventh package will target more than 90 companies globally, based on solid evidence of sanctions violations.”
slice to Kiev
On May 15, Hungary blocked the allocation of a fresh 500 million euro tranche of military assistance to Ukraine from the European Peace Fund, insisting that the fund take on a broader, more global mandate rather than focusing exclusively on arming Ukraine.
To date, Brussels has approved approximately €5.6 billion from the European Peace Fund to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Hungarian defense authorities argued that member states have trimmed their strategic reserves for border defense due to Ukrainian aid, warning that this could leave Europe vulnerable. They stressed that the European defense industry must expand to sustain long-term security needs.