Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized the critical need for EU unity on sanctions against Russia, specifically calling on Hungary and Slovakia to support the measures. His remarks came during a two-day EU summit in Brussels, where leaders are expected to approve a new package of sanctions targeting Moscow.
Both Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Slovakia, under Robert Fico, have consistently opposed previous sanctions and indicated they will not back the latest proposals. Orpo stressed that such divisions weaken the bloc’s response to Russia’s ongoing aggression.
The summit’s agenda also includes continued support for Ukraine, discussions on European defense, and internal security. Orpo highlighted the alignment between NATO and EU defense goals, advocating for Europe to bolster its own military capabilities. “The threat from Russia will not go away, even after its war of aggression in Ukraine is over,” Orpo stated, urging EU nations to invest in the defense of the eastern frontier. Finland, sharing the EU’s longest land border with Russia, is a strong proponent of deeper EU-NATO coordination.
Furthermore, leaders are reviewing Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, with Finland expressing strong support for advancing these discussions to ensure Ukraine receives “all possible ways” of support.