All articles tagged with #eu sanctions
France barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory after his taunting actions toward activists aboard the Global Sumud flotilla, prompting calls for EU sanctions though unanimity is required among member states; the move adds to a pattern of international responses to his rhetoric and actions.
France bans Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country over his conduct toward activists aboard the Global Sumud flotilla, signaling potential EU sanctions and amid a wider debate over Israel’s Gaza blockade following a controversial video showing detainees in custody.
The EU sanctioned 16 officials and seven centres accused of abducting and indoctrinating Ukrainian children, part of a broader package affecting more than 130 people and entities; Kyiv faced a drone attack after a three‑day ceasefire expired, with Zelenskyy saying Russia has no intention of ending the war. The report also notes a corruption probe into Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff, EU warnings that war dynamics are shifting in Kyiv’s favour, and Russia’s lowered growth outlook amid ongoing tensions.
The European Union reached consensus to sanction three Israeli settlers and four settler organizations over West Bank violence and to sanction Hamas leaders, ending Hungary's veto after PM Peter Magyar took office; Israel condemned the move, Hamas denounced it as hypocrisy, and the EU signaled possible future steps such as banning settlement products.
EU foreign ministers formally approved sanctions on Israeli settlers linked to violence in the West Bank after Hungary dropped its opposition, with some member states pushing broader measures such as trapping settlement trade; Canada is considering additional actions, and Israel condemned the move, marking the first unanimous EU retribution against Israel since the Gaza crisis.
The European Union announced sanctions targeting Russian officials and centers linked to the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children, intensifying pressure on Moscow amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
The EU is poised to approve sanctions against violent Israeli settlers after Hungary’s new government signaled it would not block the measure, with Kaja Kallas expecting a political agreement; broader measures against Israel remain blocked by some member states, but ministers are weighing options such as a full ban on settlement goods and tariffs.
A letter argues that allowing Russia to participate in the Venice Biennale could breach EU sanctions if the pavilion is state-owned and provides indirect economic benefits, stressing that cultural institutions must align with legal instruments rather than claim neutrality; the issue is about distinguishing independent cultural expression from state-backed participation and preserving the credibility of European-funded platforms.
The EU says it is ready to sanction those involved in the sale of Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia after the Panama-flagged vessel Panormitis loaded with about 6,200 tonnes of wheat and 19,000 tonnes of barley docked in Haifa; sanctions require unanimity among the 27 member states, and Kyiv urges European action as tensions with Israel rise. Israel will review the ship and national authorities will act in accordance with the law, while Brussels has warned it could target individuals or entities involved in the illicit trade.
The EU formally began a written procedure to unblock the €90 billion Ukraine loan and the new Russia sanctions, signaling an end to Hungary’s (and Slovakia’s) vetoes after the Druzhba pipeline was repaired. The 24-hour vote in Brussels could yield a final decision by Thursday, while Zelenskyy noted the Druzhba repairs allow oil flows to resume and urged EU deliverables on commitments.
Zelenskyy says the Druzhba oil pipeline has been repaired after a Russian strike and can resume operation, clearing a major obstacle to the EU’s €90 billion Ukraine loan and a new sanctions package that Hungary had blocked. If Orbán follows through on lifting his reservations as flows resume, disbursement could begin in 2026 (about €16.7B financial and €28.3B military aid), with Brussels relief and renewed momentum on sanctions amid ongoing debates among EU members.
Zelensky accused EU allies of 'blackmail' to force Kyiv to reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline delivering Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia, arguing that restoring flow would amount to lifting Moscow's sanctions. Kyiv says the pipeline was damaged by Russian air strikes in January and remains unrepaired, while Hungary blocks new EU sanctions and a €90 billion loan until it is fixed; Zelensky says he is against reviving Russian oil transit and questioned the EU's pressure amid broader sanctions and energy policy tensions.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine could repair the Druzhba oil pipeline in a month to a month and a half but would not repair it, noting no technical or safety reason and that repairs would require a ceasefire; he indicated he too will not facilitate Russian oil deliveries. Orbán rejected any compromise and vowed Hungary will break the Ukrainian oil blockade to resume flow, deepening a diplomatic rift as the Druzhba line remains shut after January damage and Hungary heads toward April elections.
Hungary is blocking the EU’s 20th sanctions package on Russia to pressure Brussels to approve its €16 billion SAFE defense loan, with Viktor Orbán threatening to veto both Moscow sanctions and a €90 billion Ukraine loan until Kyiv restarts oil flows via a pipeline damaged in a Russian attack. EU diplomats say Budapest may continue the veto until the defense loan is approved, while the Commission slow-walks a €2.4 billion initial payment amid Hungary’s election season and ongoing rule-of-law funding disputes.
With Hungary's April 12 election approaching, Viktor Orbán doubles down on an anti-Ukraine campaign, arguing Kyiv and Brussels threaten Hungary and using AI-generated billboards and state-aligned media to drum up fear, while blocking EU sanctions on Russia; the tactics aim to rally voters for his Fidesz party even as opposition Péter Magyar leads in polls.