The Netherlands wants to ‘push through’ on the 19th sanctions package against Russia

COPENHAGEN (ANP) – New sanctions must be approved by all 27 EU member states. Hungary is once again obstructing.

Schoof hopes that Hungary can be convinced to agree. If that fails, “we need to find another way to get that sanctions package through.” If necessary, without the Hungarians, said the prime minister. “It is really important to maintain that pressure on Russia.”

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky urged on Thursday during the EPC for the swift approval of the EU’s nineteenth sanctions package against Russia. That is “urgently needed,” he said. “Russia still has the means to continue fighting, and that is not good.”

The EU leaders have not yet reached an agreement on that new package of sanctions. An important component of the sanctions package is the ban on the import of Russian liquefied gas (LNG) by 2027.

Zelensky believes that Europe should support the call from American president Donald Trump. Trump believes that Europe must completely stop importing Russian oil and gas. Only when that happens does the American president want to impose sanctions against Russia.

Imports from the US or other countries can provide sufficient oil and gas, said Zelensky. “The guys from Hungary need to hear this clearly,” he added. Hungary has so far blocked the nineteenth sanctions package. The country claims to be dependent on Russian oil and gas.

(October 2, 2025)