Austria Clears Way For More EU Sanctions Against Russia
Key Facts
- Austria reversed its opposition and will now back the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia, clearing the way for its approval.
- The decision ends a standoff after Vienna had demanded compensation for Raiffeisen Bank losses tied to Russian penalties.
- New sanctions will include a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports beginning January 1, 2027 — one year earlier than planned.
- Austria’s policy shift heightens pressure on Hungary and other energy-dependent EU states to align with Brussels’ tougher stance toward Moscow.
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
BRUSSELS/VIENNA/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Austria has agreed to support the European Union’s latest sanctions package against Russia, reversing its earlier opposition and removing a key obstacle ahead of a crucial meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.
Ministers are due to finalize what will be the 27 nation bloc’s 19th package of sanctions against Moscow for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine
Progress on the package had stalled after Austria demanded that the EU unfreeze some Russian assets to compensate Vienna’s Raiffeisen Bank International for penalties imposed by Moscow, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Other EU member states refused to endorse that move, insisting that Russian funds remain frozen until the war’s end. The sanctions package requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU members.
In a statement, Austria’s foreign ministry confirmed that it would now back the measures. Austria supports continued pressure on Russia and will approve the 19th package of sanctions on Monday,” the ministry said.
The decision marks a notable policy shift for the neutral Alpine nation, which has long maintained close economic ties with Russia and hosts one of Europe’s largest branches of a Russian bank.
NEW ENERGY RESTRICTIONS
The upcoming sanctions include energy and financial measures to tighten the EU’s economic grip on Moscow. Among the most significant is a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), which will take effect on January 1, 2027 — a year earlier than previously planned.
EU diplomats said the earlier start date demonstrates unity and determination among member states amid continued fighting in Ukraine and mounting pressure from Kyiv to sever all remaining energy links with Russia.
Central and Eastern European nations — including Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic — closely watch the decision, as they remain heavily dependent on Russian energy.
Hungary’s government has repeatedly opposed energy-related sanctions, arguing they harm European economies more than Moscow.
However, Austria’s reversal increases pressure on Budapest to align with the wider EU position as Brussels seeks to present a united front in supporting Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale military invasion of that country in February 2022.
The war is believed to have killed and injured more than a million people on both sides.
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