Hungary is threatening to block both new European Union sanctions against Russia and a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine, according to reports from Brussels. The dispute comes as EU foreign ministers gather in the Belgian capital to finalize the 20th round of sanctions against Moscow.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Budapest would block any new EU sanctions at Monday's meeting "until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline." The move risks complicating the unanimity required among all 27 EU member states to adopt fresh sanctions.
until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline
Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard criticized the potential delay, telling Euronews that "every delay that we have in the adoption of a sanctions package is a failure for Europe." She also called Hungary's decision to block the Ukraine loan package a "disgrace," suggesting domestic politics ahead of Hungarian elections may be influencing the position.
The EU had aimed to approve the sanctions package by Tuesday, February 24, which marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Last week, Hungary and Slovakia announced they were suspending diesel exports to Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of deliberately restricting Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline.
every delay that we have in the adoption of a sanctions package is a failure for Europe
The dispute highlights ongoing friction between some EU member states that continue to import significant volumes of Russian oil and gas, and Ukraine, which has repeatedly urged them to fully sever their dependence on Russian energy.