Austria blocks 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia

Austria has blocked the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia, demanding that Ukraine remove Raiffeisen from the list of war sponsors.

This was reported by EUobserver and RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak.

Earlier, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer "welcomed" Brussels' decision on a new package of sanctions against Russia. But at the last minute, he blocked its adoption. This happened on the evening of December 15.

The blocking may be lifted next week. The Austrian side will try to get Raiffeisen removed from the Ukrainian list of international war sponsors. This list was developed by the National Agency for Corruption Prevention and includes companies that cooperate with Russia.

If no agreement is reached between Austria and Ukraine on the exclusion of Raiffeisen, the last chance to approve the 12th package by the end of the year will be lost, as the EU institutions will go on Christmas break.

Hungary put similar pressure on Ukraine when the 11th package of European sanctions was being adopted. It demanded that Ukraine remove the Hungarian bank OTP, which facilitates Hungary's trade with Russia, from the list of war sponsors. Ukraine did remove the bank from the list.