European Parliament Demands End to Hungary and Slovakia’s Obstruction of Russia Sanctions

EU lawmakers stress unity amid growing political friction and energy concerns in Central Europe.

The European Parliament has formally urged the governments of Hungary and Slovakia to stop blocking new sanctions against Russia, warning that continued obstruction undermines the European Union’s ability to respond to the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine.

The demand was included in a resolution titled “On human losses as a result of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine and the urgent need to stop Russian aggression,” adopted on July 9 in Strasbourg. The amendment targeting Hungary and Slovakia was introduced by the Social Democratic group within the Parliament, media reported.

“The European Parliament calls on the governments of Hungary and Slovakia to align their foreign policy with EU principles and cease obstructing further sanctions against Russia,” the resolution reads.

EU Warns Against Undermining Common Goals

The resolution emphasizes the EU’s foundational principle of sincere cooperation, reminding member states not to pursue national policies that may hinder the bloc’s collective objectives. Lawmakers view the repeated vetoes from Hungary and Slovakia as serious breaches of this principle.

This appeal coincides with the ongoing stalling of the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia. Slovakia vetoed the proposal during a meeting of the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), citing energy security concerns.

Slovakia’s Energy Concerns at the Center of the Veto

According to diplomatic sources, Slovakia’s government—led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico—has been seeking guarantees on energy supplies before agreeing to further sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors. Slovakia, heavily reliant on Russian gas, holds a long-term contract with Gazprom, which includes free gas transit up to the Slovak border.

Fico warned that breaking this agreement could expose Slovakia to lawsuits of over €20 billion and result in lost income for the national gas transit utility, Eustream. Notably, Czech oligarch Daniel Křetínský’s EPH holds a 49% stake and managerial control in Eustream, with the Slovak state retaining the majority, media outlets wrote.

While Fico claims not to oppose sanctions in principle, he insists Slovakia must first secure concessions from the EU, including guarantees on gas prices, supply volumes, and potential legal liabilities.

Political tensions complicate the EU consensus

Slovakia’s stance has intensified tensions between Brussels and Bratislava. Beyond the sanctions issue, the European Commission recently criticized the Slovak government for its erosion of media freedom, judicial independence, and weak anti-corruption efforts.

Since returning to power in 2023, Fico’s cabinet has launched sweeping reforms across public institutions, prompting mass resignations at leading media outlets and protests from civil society. These domestic shifts align with Fico’s increasingly pro-Kremlin rhetoric, as his Smer party and coalition partners compete for votes among Slovakia’s traditionally anti-Western electorate.

Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, continues to support a similarly obstructionist stance, citing national interests and questioning the effectiveness of sanctions against Moscow.

The EU considers the confiscation of frozen Russian assets

In the same resolution, the European Parliament urged the EU to move forward with confiscating frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense and post-war reconstruction. Lawmakers view this as a critical step in both punishing the aggressor and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine in months, targeting western regions and adding urgency to the EU’s effort to push through its stalled sanctions package.

Unity Needed as Russia Intensifies Aggression

As Russia escalates its military and psychological warfare across Europe, the EU faces internal divisions that threaten its ability to act decisively. The European Parliament’s resolution sends a clear message: member states must prioritize collective security over national bargaining.

Failure to align on sanctions not only weakens the EU’s geopolitical leverage but also emboldens authoritarian actors who exploit division within the bloc. Brussels must now decide how to balance solidarity with sovereignty—before more opportunities are lost.