EU Confident Hungary, Slovakia Will Back New Russia Sanctions

The EU is confident it can pressure Hungary and Slovakia to ensure their support for the adoption of the 19th package of sanctions against the RF. Politico wrote about this, citing European diplomats. Earlier, Slovakia and Hungary had obstructed the approval of the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions.

"Although Slovakia and Hungary consistently oppose the expansion of sanctions against Russia, diplomats are confident they will be able to pressure them and achieve the unanimous support necessary for the adoption of the 19th package," the publication states. Politico quotes one of the diplomats, who recalled that all previous packages of European sanctions against the RF were adopted.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had earlier stated that the 19th package of EU sanctions against the RF would be ready by the beginning of September. This package may also include a ban on the free movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, has stated this.