Europe Today A high-stakes showdown in Brussels
Feb 23, 2026
Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania's foreign minister, urges revising unanimity rules to stop single-state vetoes. Maria Malmer-Stenergard, Sweden's foreign minister, pushes tougher sanctions and NATO and EU support for Ukraine. They debate the blocked €90bn lifeline, sanctions escalation, trade tensions with the US, and what limping EU decision-making means for Kyiv’s future.
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One Country Can Stop EU Action
- Hungary and Slovakia can single-handedly block major EU actions under unanimity, exposing decision-making vulnerability.
- Shona Murray and EU officials warned the veto stalled the €90bn lifeline and the 20th sanctions package timed for the invasion anniversary.
Ukraine Calls Transit Demand Energy Blackmail
- Ukraine calls Hungary and Slovakia's demand to resume oil transit energy blackmail and says it harms regional energy security.
- Sasha Vaglina noted Slovakia provides ~17% and Hungary ~45% of Ukraine's electricity inputs, bought at commercial prices.
Press Harder With Targeted Sanctions
- Increase sanctions and support for Ukraine to change Russia's calculus and push it toward talks.
- Maria Malmer-Stenergard urged a full services maritime ban, fertilizer import ban, and blocking luxury exports to Russia.