Hungary only EU state to resist new sanctions package, Italy and Austria were resisting but ultimately came on board - but helped water down the response.
Of the three, an EU diplomat says: 'It wouldn’t be the first time they find themselves on the wrong side of history.'
Of the three, an EU diplomat says: 'It wouldn’t be the first time they find themselves on the wrong side of history.'
EU's latest sanction mirrors its 2014 response to the annexation of Crimea, travel bans and asset freezes on people involved. These measures upgraded to hit 351 Duma reps that voted in favour of recognition of Ukraine's breakaway states, and military commanders involved.
Hungary's Viktor Orban has been a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin, and has publicly stated EU should opt for dialogue instead of sanctions to avert a war.
Italy and Austria were big backers of 'proportionality' in the debate over sanctions - an attempt to keep measures back, allowing for punishments to be ratcheted up in the event of a full-scale invasion. But essentially blocked the EU going harder at Russia today.
'The package on the table isn’t even a slap on the wrist. Austria and Italy are really pushing back,” source said, before the deal was done. 'We’ve got too used to the idea that peace and quiet in this part of the world can be obtained without any significant cost.'
Worth noting that the package drawn up was by EU ambassadors. It's due to be discussed, and potentially signed off, at an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers in Paris later this afternoon.
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