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The European Union agreed to renew its sanctions against Russia after Hungary dropped its veto threat. The decision comes after statements from the Trump administration that it will not reverse the restrictions imposed on Moscow in response to its war in Ukraine.
Viktor Orban, the Russia-friendly prime minister of Hungary, was He threatened to allow EU sanctions at the end of the month If US President Donald Trump decides to relax the sanctions regime. But Trump said last week that he was ready Imposing additional restrictive measures If Russia does not reach an agreement to end the war “soon”.
On Monday, Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó agreed to expand the sanctions, according to three officials. The sanctions, which must be extended every six months through unanimous agreement, include a freeze on Russian assets worth €190 billion in the EU.
“Europe delivers: EU foreign ministers have just agreed to extend sanctions on Russia,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat. This will continue to deprive Moscow of revenue to finance its war. Russia needs to pay for the damage it causes. “
Orban was last week linked The rollover of sanctions on Ukraine resumes the transit of Russian gas, as well as protecting the remaining pipelines that still carry Russian oil and gas to Europe from Ukrainian drone attacks.
Gas transit deal between… Ukraine Russian state-owned giant Gazprom expired on January 1. While the move was largely expected, it caused an uproar in Hungary and Slovakia, landlocked countries more dependent on gas imports from Russia, and with most Russia-friendly governments in the European Union.
On Monday, the European Commission agreed in a statement seen by the Financial Times “to continue discussions with Ukraine on supply to Europe through Ukraine's gas pipeline system,” including Hungary and Slovakia in the process, as well as “to approach Ukraine to seek assurances on the maintenance of… Oil pipelines to the European Union.
Hungary “received the guarantees it requested regarding the energy security of our country,” Szijjártó said on X.
