Belgium is concerned about the possibility that €140 billion could be lent to Ukraine, and then a pro-Russian EU country, like Hungary or Slovakia, might veto the renewal of the EU sanctions against Moscow. This scenario would require Belgium to return the funds to Russia.
To address Belgium’s concerns, the Commission seeks to prevent one EU member from overturning sanctions. Currently, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán can do this, as sanctions need unanimous approval and must be renewed every six months.
The Commission proposes using a clause in Article 122 of the EU treaty, which allows for decisions “in a spirit of solidarity between Member States, upon the measures appropriate to the economic situation.”
This interpretation would allow a qualified majority of nations to approve sanctions renewal, nullifying Hungary’s veto power. A diplomat stated this is a strategy to “secure Belgium’s backing.”
The EU’s lawyers concur that Article 122’s language can justify changing unanimity requirements due to the potential economic impact of reversing sanctions. It might also allow extending the vote on sanctions renewals from six months to three years, according to diplomats.
Time is crucial because without an agreement, Ukraine may soon lack funds to combat Russian forces, with its resources depleted by April. The alternative burdens EU taxpayers with Ukraine’s war costs, while Moscow’s sanctioned funds remain untouched.
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