EU Set to Extend Sanctions on Russia as Hungary Lifts Its Objections

The European Union is poised to extend sanctions against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine, with Hungary, previously a holdout, now agreeing to support the measure, Bloomberg reported on January 27.

Hungary delayed the decision since December when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told EU leaders he preferred to wait for the inauguration of Donald Trump before deciding whether to back the sanctions extension. EU sanctions must be renewed every six months, and while typically a formality, unanimous approval from all member states is required.

Trump, in his statements, suggested he might impose stricter sanctions on Russia unless Vladimir Putin agrees to peace talks to end the war.

However, Orbán later tied the sanctions issue to Hungary’s energy security, urging the EU to pressure Ukraine into restoring the transit of Russian gas to Europe. Since February 2022, the EU has adopted 15 sanction packages against Russia.

Following several unproductive EU ambassador meetings earlier this month, the matter was escalated to foreign ministers. Hungary is now expected to back the sanctions extension. In exchange, the European Commission is set to state the bloc’s energy security, reaffirming its commitment to help Ukraine repair and stabilize its infrastructure while addressing issues related to gas and oil supplies.

Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Orbán’s potential move to block the automatic extension of European Union sanctions against Russia would signal alignment with Moscow’s interests.