Overcoming the Hungarian Veto. Advancing Europe’s Geopolitical Agency

The European Treaties establish the Union as an international actor whose aim is to ensure that Europeans live in peace (see Article 3(1) TEU). In the current times of geopolitical confrontation, the Union’s role in addressing these challenges enjoys much public support. A majority of Europeans agree that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a “war on our values” and that a Russian victory would make a military confrontation with Europe more likely. To respond to the citizens’ expectations, to prevent a Russian victory, and to fulfil the promise of peace in Europe under Article 3(1) TEU, the Union must prolong the Russian sanctions, which risk expiring on 31 July 2025. This includes the freezing of 200 billion EUR in central bank assets at Belgian clearing facilities. The prolongation of these sanctions requires a unanimous decision pursuant to Article 31(1) TEU. Hungary threatens to obstruct this decision. [….]