European Union member states have started discussions on a new package of sanctions against Russia. The package is expected to be approved by February 24, the second anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Among the measures being considered are the imposition of new sanctions against individuals and organizations, further restrictions on trade between the EU and Russia and strengthened measures against circumvention of existing sanctions, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg .
Possible sanctions were discussed on Wednesday during the meeting of deputies of member states. However, getting a new sanctions package in just over a month may not be easy.
At the same time, discussions continue on the creation of a new fund for the provision of military aid to Ukraine. Until now, aid to Ukraine was provided at European level through the European Peace Facility (EPF). Countries could claim compensation from the EPF for weapons sent to Ukraine.
Although the EPF has been expanded several times, each time it required approval from all member states, allowing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to delay or even block further aid to Ukraine.
There are several options currently under study. Under one proposal, the size of the EPF would increase by five billion euros per year. Under another proposal, also supported by Germany, a new separate fund would be created to replace the EPF. Berlin says that since Ukraine will mainly receive new weapons in the future, rather than weapons already in stockpiles, the EPF’s role will be reduced in the future.
The German government has called on member states to be more transparent about the amount of aid provided to Ukraine, and the European Commission has asked member states to present an overview of the aid sent to Kiev by February 1, at Berlin’s request .
The discussion on the provision of military aid to Ukraine could continue at the European Council on 1 February. However, the main topic of discussion at the summit of EU heads of government is the adoption of a 50 billion euro financial aid package for Ukraine. The approval of the aid package is especially important because the US Congress has not yet approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine.
At Wednesday’s meeting, member states disagreed on the periodic review of aid to Ukraine. Hungary demands that the EU review aid to Ukraine once a year, and to continue providing aid would require approval from all member states, which would essentially mean that Orban would have the ability to block aid to Ukraine. ‘Ukraine at least once a year.
Most EU countries do not support Hungary’s request, for example Italy is skeptical.
If the 27 member states fail to agree on aid to Ukraine, the remaining 26 members could reach a separate agreement without Hungary. This was not ruled out by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an interview with CNN in Davos, but she stressed that she wanted to first try to reach a consensus among all member states.
2024-01-19 15:39:00
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