The EU is preparing a mini-package of sanctions against Russia; Patriarch Kirill is among those who may be targeted
European Union ambassadors plan to consider this week a so-called “mini-package” of sanctions that could target about ten individuals previously blocked by Viktor Orbán’s government, as well as several Russian vessels.
This was reported by Euronews.
According to sources, Hungary’s new government has reportedly expressed its willingness to support the inclusion on the sanctions list of Kirill Gundyaev, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as other individuals previously protected by the previous administration in Budapest.
This could pave the way for Patriarch Kirill to be added to the EU blacklist. Officials in Brussels note that a “mini-package” of sanctions is already in the works.
Attempts to include Kirill on the EU sanctions list were made as early as 2022. At that time, he was accused of supporting Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and spreading propaganda; however, Hungary blocked the initiative, citing religious freedom as the reason.
Now, the EU expects that Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, may change his position and not block the decision.
“Sanctions that would undermine Hungary’s economic stability are absolutely unacceptable. But in cases where the previous government used the power of the Hungarian state to conclude private deals, I expect the new government not to block the EU’s joint efforts to increase pressure on Russia to end this war,” said Márton Hajdu, chairman of the Hungarian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
It is also reported that several other Russian individuals were initially planned to be included on the sanctions list but were later removed due to Orbán’s stance, specifically Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev and oligarch Vyacheslav Kantor. They may now be added back to the list.
Separately, the new package of restrictions may affect several vessels of the so-called “shadow fleet,” which Russia uses to circumvent sanctions and export oil.
The tightening of EU sanctions could complicate Russia’s Arctic logistics operations. This specifically concerns the calls by Russian icebreakers at the Norwegian port of Honningsvåg, which have become part of Russia’s logistics routes in the Arctic. Against the backdrop of sanctions, it cannot be ruled out that Norway may cease servicing these vessels.
The EU has expandedsanctions against Russia for the abduction of Ukrainian children.
A high-level meeting dedicated to the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia will take place in Brussels on May 11. It will be jointly hosted by the European Union, Ukraine, and Canada. During the event, participants plan to discuss specific mechanisms for returning the children to Ukraine, as well as steps to hold Russia accountable.
Ukraine has managed to return two children who were left without parental care in Kazakhstan and found themselves in a foreign country. The brother and sister were evacuated from Almaty following a complex, multi-stage operation coordinated by Ukrainian authorities. The children are now safely at home.
