The heads of foreign ministry of European Union countries on Monday unanimously decided to extend economic sanctions to Russia – informs Reuters. Until now, Hungary was blocked by the extension of sanctions. For withdrawing their veto, they were to receive assurance that the European Commission would continue to negotiate with Ukraine the possibility of transit gas through its territory.
Due to the risk of blocking by Hungary This decision, on Monday morning – before the meeting of the ministers – met the ambassadors of the member states in Brussels. As the non -EU diplomats informed, during the meeting, Hungary was to get guarantees from the European Commission regarding talks with Ukraine on gas transit – the EC will continue these negotiations, Hungary will also be included in them and Slovakia.
Sanctions for Russia were prolonged
The head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto Before the meeting of the ministers, he stated that he was waiting for official guarantees from the EC regarding the security of gas supply. Ukraine decided not to extend the contract for the transit of Russian gas, which expired at the end of the year.
Budapest has so far blocked the extension of economic sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with war in Ukraineindicating as a reason for changing power in USA. After swearing in Donald Trump Hungary president of the United States began to demand guarantees regarding gas transit by Ukraine.
If the member states unanimously did not decide to extend the restrictions, which they do every six months, the sanctions would expire at the end of January.
Source of the main photo: Eurosport