Austria announced on Saturday its agreement to support the European Union’s latest sanctions package against Russia, marking a significant shift from its previous resistance. This development eliminates a major obstacle ahead of a crucial vote set for early next week.
EU foreign ministers will convene on Monday in Luxembourg with the aim of finalizing the 19th sanctions package targeting Moscow due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Earlier reports indicated that discussions on the sanctions had stalled because Austria sought concessions, specifically the unfreezing of certain Russian assets to benefit the country’s Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI). However, many EU governments were unwilling to meet this demand, highlighting the necessity for consensus among the EU’s 27 member states.
Austria’s foreign ministry confirmed in a statement that it will support continued pressure on Russia by approving the sanctions package. The comprehensive measures outlined in the package include restrictions on energy and finance, prominently featuring a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas effective January 1, 2027, a year earlier than initially planned.
In addition, Slovakia has raised some concerns regarding the sanctions, but four EU diplomats noted that a letter from the European Commission expected on Monday is anticipated to address these issues. At this stage, neither Slovakia’s foreign ministry nor the Commission has publicly commented on the ongoing discussions.
The EU’s resolve in implementing sanctions against Russia reflects a unified stance among European nations as they strive to uphold international security and respond decisively to geopolitical challenges. As the situation develops, there remains a collective hope that the new sanctions will exert further pressure on Russia, potentially leading to a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and reinforcing European solidarity in the face of adversity.