The European Union extended on Saturday by six months the sanctions against individuals and entities considered to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, following a deadlock caused by Hungary and Slovakia, which ultimately gave up their opposition.
The European Council, the EU body representing the 27 member states, announced that the restrictive measures targeting individuals responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine have been extended until September 15, as reported by Reuters.
The bloc of 27 countries lifted sanctions against two individuals and removed five deceased individuals from the list. One of the two living individuals removed is Niels Troost, a Dutchman included on the sanctions list for trading Russian oil, according to an EU diplomat.
Approximately 2,600 individuals and entities are subject to measures, including travel restrictions, asset freezes, and the prohibition of providing funds or other economic resources to individuals or entities on the list. EU sanctions have been consistently expanded since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Hungary and Slovakia had previously tried to get a number of Russian oligarchs removed from the sanctions list, EU diplomats said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the European Union on Monday to lift sanctions on Russian energy due to the steep rise in prices fueled by the war in Iran. Hungary and Slovakia also had disagreements with Ukraine regarding the flows of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipelines.