The European Union is to extend its sanctions against Russia after Hungary signaled that it would not block this move in exchange for energy security guarantees. This was stated by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kalas, quoted by "Reuters".
Officials from other EU countries have warned that failure to continue the wide-ranging sanctions against Moscow imposed over its war in Ukraine would have major consequences, such as the freezing of Russian assets in Europe used to support Kiev.
"I expect a decision to extend the sanctions we have", said Kalas upon arriving for a meeting of EU foreign ministers, just days before the deadline for their renewal on January 31.
She subsequently wrote on social networks: "Europe delivers: EU foreign ministers have just agreed to extend sanctions against Russia again. This will continue to deprive Moscow of revenue to finance its war". Russia must pay for the damage it is causing, Kalas added.
Among the punitive measures that will be extended are all sectoral trade bans, as well as measures that have frozen the assets of Russia's central bank. By law, EU countries must unanimously vote to renew these restrictions every six months.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban initially called for consultations with the Trump administration before a decision on renewal was made. So far, however, the US president has shown that he wants to put pressure on Russia to start peace talks.
At that time, Budapest complained that Ukraine was terminating an agreement that supplies Russian gas to Hungary.
Earlier today, however, Hungary, which maintains closer economic and political relations with Russia than other EU members, expressed its readiness to give the green light to the ministerial meeting.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook that Budapest's vote would depend on "whether the European Commission gives guarantees that it will take steps whenever the energy security of EU member states is threatened outside the European Union".
At a meeting of EU ambassadors this morning, the Commission presented a statement saying it was "ready to continue discussions with Ukraine on supplies to Europe via the gas pipeline system in Ukraine".
The statement also said that the Commission - the EU's executive body - is ready to include Hungary and Slovakia in the process.
"The Commission will approach Ukraine to request guarantees regarding the maintenance of oil pipeline transport to the EU," the EC added.