“There is a strong desire from most countries to reinforce sanctions and create a package that could be even tougher than expected,” said Paulo Rangel in remarks at an informal ministerial meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs added that it is necessary “to account for Hungary’s reluctance,” which since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has played a blocking role in decisions to sanction Moscow and Kremlin supporters.
However, “we can only understand Budapest’s exact position later,” so Paulo Rangel hopes today’s meeting will deliver a “political impetus” for a decision on the 19th sanctions framework.
Hungary was the only European Union (EU) country today to oppose the approval of the 19th sanctions package to counter the “reckless nature of Russia” following the latest bombings in Ukraine’s capital.
Lusa | 14:09 – 29/08/2025
The foreign ministers of the 27 countries within the European political-economic bloc are gathered in Copenhagen under the Danish presidency of the EU Council.
The informal nature of the meeting prevents concrete decisions, but coordinated political signals are expected among the European diplomacies.
