Ban Russian LNG package: Hungary conceded, Slovakia and Austria do not back down

On October 20, EU foreign ministers will consider a plan to completely abandon Russian energy carriers and the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, in which it is planned to ban LNG imports as early as 2027. It is planned that all bans will be approved together. According to EUobserver, Hungary has abandoned its demands and Slovakia and Austria are still on the path of acceptance.

Hungary no longer requires exceptions for a complete ban on the import of Russian LNG to the EU from 2027. It is planned to approve it as part of the 19th package of sanctions. This is reported by EUobserver.

Earlier, the Hungarian authorities demanded to provide exceptions for the country, but at the last meeting of EU ambassadors, Budapest no longer raised objections, the newspaper writes.

According to EUobserver interlocutors, Slovakia and Austria are stopping the adoption of a new package of sanctions. Vienna continues to demand a "special retreat" so that Raiffeisen Bank can unfreeze its assets in Russia for 2 billion euros.

11 EU countries, led by Germany, criticize Austria's position, and this may cause a veto on the sanctions package, EUobserver noted. They noted that on October 20, the Foreign Ministers of the EU countries will immediately consider the roadmap for a complete ban and the 19th package of sanctions. If a qualified majority is required to adopt the first one, then a unanimous decision is required for new restrictions.

Alexey Grivach, Deputy Director of the FNEB, notes that there are complex diplomatic dances and, to a large extent, staged ones.

"On the one hand, they bargain for their interests, on the other — through their fronde The EU is trading with external players, with the USA and Russia, first of all," the expert says.