EU Countries Agreed to Extend Sanctions Against Russia. For the First Time - For a Year at Once EU member states have agreed to extend anti-Russian sanctions for a full year, a first-time occurrence previously extended semi-annually. This decision was enabled by Hungary’s new government, which has adopted a different foreign policy stance, contrasting with its predecessor’s opposition. Hungary’s shift also includes lifting its veto on Ukraine’s EU accession talks.

• EU leaders agreed to extend anti-Russian sanctions for a full year.
• This is the first time sanctions have been extended for 12 months at once; previously, they were extended every six months.
• Hungary’s new government approved the one-year extension, marking a change from the previous government’s stance.
• The unanimous approval of all 27 EU members is required for sanctions extension.
• Hungary’s shift in policy under Peter Magyar’s TISZA party also led to lifting the veto on Ukraine’s EU accession talks.