Hungary is ready to lift its block on the extension of European Union sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.
Budapest had been stalling the decision since December when Prime Minister Viktor Orban told EU leaders he wanted to wait for Donald Trump’s inauguration before deciding whether to agree to roll over the restrictions. EU sanctions need to be extended every six months and, although it’s usually a routine decision, it requires the backing of all member states.
Trump recently said he could increase sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin doesn’t come to the negotiating table to discuss how to end the fighting. The Hungarian premier then linked the sanctions discussion to his country’s energy security. He also called on the EU to pressure Ukraine to re-establish the transit of gas to Europe after Kyiv last month rejected renewing a contract for the delivery of Russian gas in December.
After failing to agree to an extension in several meetings between the bloc’s ambassadors this month, the matter was escalated to the foreign ministers gathering in Brussels on Monday. Hungary is expected to sign off on the rollover on Monday.
"I expect a decision to roll over the sanctions,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters as she arrived for the meeting.
According to one of the sources, in return for Budapest backing down, the EU’s executive arm will provide several assurances in a statement relating to the bloc’s energy security. The statement will reaffirm commitments to help Ukraine repair and stabilise its infrastructure as well as address the supply of gas and oil.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a Facebook post Monday that his country’s consent “hinges on whether the European Commission provides guarantees that it will take a stand in the future whenever a member state’s energy security is threatened.”
- Last year, on 11 December, EU ambassadors agreed on the 15th package of sanctions in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The new restrictions include an increase in the number of individuals and organisations on the existing sanctions list and target firms in Russia and third countries that indirectly contribute to Russia's military and technological advancement by circumventing export restrictions.
- Earlier, Politico wrote that Hungary may abandon its threat to block the extension of EU sanctions against Russia, as US President Donald Trump threatened the Russians with even more fines.