The EU plans to approve the 10th package of sanctions against Russia, but Hungary may become an obstacle.

The European Union wants to implement a new sanctions package against the Russian Federation before the Ukraine-EU summit scheduled for early February. However, Hungary may delay the process. According to PAP, the EU will try to impose sanctions on the export of Russian diamonds, which earns the country approximately €4.5B annually. The new sanctions will also apply to products that could potentially be used by the Russian military and to persons responsible for Russian aggression against Ukraine. As for restrictions on Belarus, the new package will provide for the synchronization of sanctions with the existing Russian sanctions, particularly in those areas where Minsk cooperates with Moscow. Given that the adoption of sanctions in the EU requires unanimity, some diplomats fear that Hungary may again delay the introduction of new restrictions. Orban’s government has already stated its disapproval with some names on the sanction lists.