EU foreign ministers delay maritime sanctions against Russia due to Hungary's objections, impacting the 20th sanctions package.
European Union foreign ministers failed to reach an agreement on new sanctions aimed at banning maritime services to Russia. The acceptance of the union's 20th sanctions package was postponed due to objections led by Hungary.
During the negotiations, proposals were discussed that included restrictions on insurance, classification, and ship management services for Russian operators. Brussels argued that these measures would significantly weaken Moscow's capacity to maintain its maritime trade and military logistics activities. However, some member states expressed concerns that this could lead to unwanted disruptions in global trade routes, negatively impact European-based shipowners and service providers, and create legal risks for companies operating in third-country markets.
The delay means that a politically sensitive and comprehensive package will be subject to further legal and technical scrutiny. While EU officials indicated that work would continue, no clear timeline has yet been announced regarding when the sanctions will come into effect.
Hungary's veto and energy tensions
The Budapest government opposed the sanctions, citing disruptions in the flow of the Druzhba oil pipeline through Ukraine and concerns over energy security. Hungary has clearly stated that it will not support the package until pipeline shipments return to normal.
This stance has hindered the EU from delivering a unified message during a period coinciding with the fourth year of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine and has increased political tension within the union.
The 'black fleet' debate and oil trade
Analysts evaluate that if the EU lifts the current price cap on crude oil and imposes a complete ban on maritime services tied to Russian oil, Moscow could become almost entirely dependent on a 'shadow' or 'black' tanker fleet. Therefore, it is stated that such a step could have significant impacts on global energy and maritime trade balances.
Developments from Washington
Meanwhile, legal and commercial developments in the United States are also being closely monitored in relation to Russian oil trade. Tanker market analysts believe that certain decisions in Washington could create opportunities for India to resume large-scale crude oil purchases from Russia. This could indirectly limit the effectiveness of the EU's sanctions strategy.
Negotiations regarding the EU's 20th sanctions package are expected to continue in the coming weeks and throughout the EU presidency periods. However, the existing disagreements indicate that it will not be easy for the union to reach a consensus on a common and strict maritime sanction against Russia in the short term.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
