The European Commission is exploring alternative legal mechanisms to maintain pressure on Moscow if Hungary blocks the renewal of EU economic sanctions due to expire in July.
Brussels is preparing alternative legal tools to sustain pressure on Moscow if Hungary blocks the renewal of EU economic sanctions set to expire in July. The European Commission has informed member states that key measures—such as the freeze on €200 billion in Russian state assets—could be placed on a new legal footing to avoid needing unanimous approval. Capital controls and tariffs are among the options under consideration.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has previously opposed sanction extensions, and Budapest's stance remains uncertain. EU sanctions require consensus to be renewed every six months, but the Commission is exploring mechanisms that need only a qualified majority. One scenario would let countries like Belgium, where much of the Russian assets are held, take independent steps to prevent repatriation. Trade tools—such as those already used on Russian fertiliser—may also be adapted further. While no major objections were raised by Hungary in recent talks on a new 17th sanctions package, which targets third-country firms aiding Russia, officials remain cautious.
The package is expected to be finalised next week. Separately, the Commission plans to propose new rules on phasing out Russian gas imports by 2027 and introducing tariffs on enriched uranium. It says these would not be sanctions, though some member states have requested legal clarity to avoid future disputes. Commission officials, responding to doubts raised by diplomats, emphasised confidence in their legal teams, calling the concern a matter of trust
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
Russian parliamentary elections have delivered a comfortable win to the ruling United Russia party, which is closely aligned to President Vladimir ...
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes military action against Tehran.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
Russian parliamentary elections have delivered a comfortable win to the ruling United Russia party, which is closely aligned to President Vladimir Putin. With more than 95 per cent of ballots counted, United Russia has taken 57.83 per cent of the vote, up from the 49.8 per cent it won in 2021.
A powerful typhoon was approaching Japan’s Pacific coast on Monday, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and a heightened risk of landslides across the Kanto region, including Tokyo, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 21 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in sports.
Baku is preparing to host its 10th Formula 1 race, with the city’s streets once again set to transform into one of the most demanding circuits on the F1 calendar.
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