Hungary Demands Removal of Eight Russian Figures From EU Sanctions List

Hungary is pushing to have eight individuals removed from the European Union’s sanctions list targeting Russia, and is demanding new guarantees related to Ukraine’s gas transit negotiations before agreeing to extend the sanctions, according to Reuters on February 25.

EU sanctions on Russia, which were imposed in response to Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine, require unanimous approval for renewal every six months.

On February 25, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated on Facebook that Budapest would “not consent to rushing ahead” with the extension of sanctions on individuals.

The sanctions consist of two separate frameworks: one addressing economic measures and the other targeting over 2,400 individuals and entities with asset freezes and travel bans. Diplomats declined to disclose the names of the individuals Hungary seeks to remove, citing the confidential nature of the discussions, Reuters reported.

Hungary’s permanent representation to the EU declined to comment on the matter.

In January, Hungary, which has maintained close ties with Moscow throughout the war, delayed the renewal of economic sanctions, including the immobilization of Russia’s central bank assets.

The delay ended after the European Commission agreed to include Hungary in discussions about resuming gas transit through Ukraine. Russian gas flows via Ukraine were halted on January 1, when Ukraine’s contract with Russia’s Gazprom expired.

Szijjarto told reporters on February 24 that the Commission had failed to uphold its earlier promise, as Hungary was excluded from a meeting with Slovakia and Ukraine.

The European Commission said it plans to include Hungary in future discussions. “This meeting had been planned in this format. The Commission remains ready to associate Hungary to discuss the alternative supply sources and routes to Europe,” a Commission spokesperson said.

In corresponding news, as the EU has moved to renew sanctions on Russia for another six months, Hungary’s government sought to reintroduce Russian gas into the EU market.

Earlier, the European Council announced the adoption of the EU’s 16th sanctions package against Russia on February 24.