Morning opening: EU fails to agree on sanctions
European leaders did not agree on the newest, 18th, bundle of sanctions finally night time’s European Council assembly in Brussels, with Hungary and Slovakia holding agency of their opposition to the proposed measures.
Specifically, they opposed a separate EU proposal on phasing out Russian power imports.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán mentioned in a single day that the 2 nations have been “one staff,” as he insisted “we can not settle for the EU proposal that we must always not purchase Russian oil and gasoline any extra.”
In a single day, Russia reportedly fired over 350 drones and eight missiles in direction of Ukraine, largely concentrating on the small western metropolis of Starokostiantyniv, house to an vital Ukrainian airbase.
However the EU leaders agreed on their method to the upcoming commerce negotiations with the US, with European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen declaring:
“Our message immediately is evident, we’re prepared for a deal.”
However then she cautioned:
“On the identical time, we’re getting ready for the chance that no passable settlement is reached … and we are going to defend the European curiosity as wanted. In brief, all choices stay on the desk.”
Let’s see what’s the fallout from final night time’s summit, and what occurs elsewhere as Hungary prepares for Budapest Satisfaction march, the Bezos wedding ceremony weekend continues in Venice.
I’ll convey you all the newest updates from throughout Europe.
It’s Friday, 27 June 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Dwell.
Good morning.
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Up to date at 03.48 EDT
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Zelenskyy calls on EU to ship ‘clear political message’ on Ukraine’s accession, regardless of Hungary’s block
Jennifer Rankin
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has referred to as on European leaders to ship “a transparent political message” of assist for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, as Hungary continues to stymie progress.
European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen arrive for an European Council assembly in Brussels, Belgium in March. {Photograph}: Christophe Petit-Tesson/EPA
Zelenskyy’s attraction in a video deal with to EU leaders was made on Thursday night simply hours after Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán claimed he had a mandate to cease Ukraine’s EU accession.
Hungary is obstructing the opening of detailed membership talks with Ukraine on the so-called “cluster one fundamentals”, the values chapters of the EU rulebook pertaining to the functioning of democratic establishments, unbiased judiciary and sound public administration.
Orbán arrived on the summit claiming that 2.2m Hungarians opposed Ukraine’s accession, based mostly on a nationwide ballot, following a marketing campaign voters have been bombarded with anti-Ukraine messages.
With out naming names, Zelenskyy mentioned:
“What’s wanted now could be a transparent political message – that Ukraine is firmly on the European path and that Europe stands by its guarantees.”
Opening cluster one was not only a process, Zelenskyy instructed the leaders:
“That is what offers motivation, assist and power to the women and men who’re defending their households towards Russia’s prison and unprovoked battle.”
Ukraine’s president additionally urged EU leaders to toughen sanctions, proposing a cap on Russian oil revenues of $30, half of the present $60 imposed by the G7. The European Fee not too long ago referred to as for a $45 worth cap, however the plan has not received US assist.
“Sanctions towards Russia stay one of the vital efficient instruments for limiting its aggression.”
He referred to as for sanctions on power, banks, finance, Russia’s shadow fleet and provide chains that convey European elements to Russian weapon factories.
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Up to date at 04.33 EDT
EU rolled over earlier sanctions on Russia
Nevertheless it’s price noting that the EU has agreed on rolling over the already present sanctions towards Russia, which have been as a consequence of expire.
Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk instructed a late night time briefing that he was “tremendously happy” by that call, as “there may be at all times a little bit of concern” about whether or not all nations would agree on that, however “nearly at all times we handle to get it in the long run, and we did that immediately, too.”
“We nonetheless have that call concerning the 18th sanctions bundle forward of us,” he added.
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Why EU did not agree on new Russia sanctions
Jennifer Rankin
Did they or didn’t they? EU leaders, in the long run, didn’t handle to agree on the newest proposed sanctions towards Russia, as Slovakia and Hungary proceed to dam a deal.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico at first of the EU leaders’ Summit in Brussels, Belgium. {Photograph}: Olivier Hoslet/EPA
The measures, the 18th spherical of sanctions towards Russia, for the reason that full-scale invasion of February 2022 cowl power, banking and Russia’s shadow fleet.
EU diplomats regard them as the hardest for a while, though a proposed decreasing of the oil worth cap to 45$ a barrel seems doubtful, due to US opposition.
Slovakia and Hungary are blocking the sanctions, in protest over a separate plan from the European Fee to section out Russian fossil fuels by 2028.
The 2 central European countriess secured an exemption on a Russian oil import embargo in March 2023 that allowed them to proceed to be equipped by way of the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline.
For Slovakia the primary drawback is gasoline. It’s seeking ensures that breaking contracts with Gazprom received’t imply power firms must pay huge damages. The Slovak authorities additionally says it’s frightened about client payments.
At a press convention within the early hours of Friday, von der Leyen insisted it was on observe, with out referring on to both nation.
“We needs to be ready to have an agreed bundle quickly.”
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Up to date at 04.33 EDT
Morning opening: EU fails to agree on sanctions
European leaders did not agree on the newest, 18th, bundle of sanctions finally night time’s European Council assembly in Brussels, with Hungary and Slovakia holding agency of their opposition to the proposed measures.
Specifically, they opposed a separate EU proposal on phasing out Russian power imports.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán mentioned in a single day that the 2 nations have been “one staff,” as he insisted “we can not settle for the EU proposal that we must always not purchase Russian oil and gasoline any extra.”
In a single day, Russia reportedly fired over 350 drones and eight missiles in direction of Ukraine, largely concentrating on the small western metropolis of Starokostiantyniv, house to an vital Ukrainian airbase.
However the EU leaders agreed on their method to the upcoming commerce negotiations with the US, with European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen declaring:
“Our message immediately is evident, we’re prepared for a deal.”
However then she cautioned:
“On the identical time, we’re getting ready for the chance that no passable settlement is reached … and we are going to defend the European curiosity as wanted. In brief, all choices stay on the desk.”
Let’s see what’s the fallout from final night time’s summit, and what occurs elsewhere as Hungary prepares for Budapest Satisfaction march, the Bezos wedding ceremony weekend continues in Venice.
I’ll convey you all the newest updates from throughout Europe.
It’s Friday, 27 June 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Dwell.
Good morning.
Share
Up to date at 03.48 EDT
