EU Unity on Russia Sanctions Crucial, Says Finnish PM Orpo

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has stressed the vital need for European Union unity on sanctions against Russia, specifically calling on Hungary and Slovakia to support the measures. His remarks came as EU leaders convened in Brussels for a two-day summit focused on Ukraine, European defense, and internal security.
The summit is expected to endorse a new package of sanctions targeting Moscow, despite opposition from Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Slovakia, under Robert Fico. Both nations have criticized previous sanctions and indicated they will not back the latest proposals, creating a notable division within the bloc.
Orpo emphasized the alignment between NATO and the EU on defense goals, urging Europe to bolster its military capabilities. He stated that “Europe has to build a strong, independent defense capability,” as “the threat from Russia will not go away, even after its war of aggression in Ukraine is over.” He also highlighted the necessity for EU nations to invest in the defense of the eastern frontier, underscoring the continued need for strong ground troops. Finland, which shares the EU’s longest land border with Russia, has been advocating for deeper EU-NATO coordination since joining the alliance.
Beyond sanctions and defense, the summit’s agenda includes discussions on Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, with Orpo expressing Finland’s support for advancing these talks to ensure Ukraine receives “all possible ways” of support. Leaders will also address internal security, hybrid threats, organized crime, migration, and other external relations matters. Orpo reiterated that the divisions caused by Hungary and Slovakia’s opposition must not be allowed to weaken the EU’s collective response to Russia.