The planned EU Commission’s 11th sanctions package against Russia has been vetoed by Hungary and Greece. They insist that several of their respective companies that have business relations with the Russians be exempted.
The EU Commission also notes that there are new winds blowing against its anti-Russian drive in several other countries. This is particularly true in Austria and Slovakia, where elections will be held in the coming months. There, “Ukraine-skeptics” are gaining political ground, the rejection of more military aid to Kiev is growing, and the electorate may vote the opposition into power. “It would be a disaster” if Ukraine-skeptic leaders were elected in Austria and Slovakia, a European Commission official told Politico on June 6. In the case of Slovakia, which neighbors Ukraine, one of the main western supply channels to Kiev would then be shut down.
