European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed that the EU will not lift sanctions on Russia. She emphasized that the sanctions are a vital tool for pressure and that abandoning them would weaken the EU’s position in negotiations with Russia.
Her statement came in response to Hungarian President Viktor Orbán’s call to lift the sanctions, which are set to expire on January 31. Orbán argued that the EU should consult with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump before deciding on any extension.
The European Commission declined to comment on these remarks, while sources indicated that Brussels is working to convince Belgium’s King Philippe to enforce a 1944 royal decree that could prevent the lifting of sanctions if not extended by the end of the month.
