Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s announcement about the possibility of blocking EU sanctions against Moscow caused a stir within the EU. In this way, Budapest hopes to force Ukraine to resume Russian gas shipments. “In this great game for Europe’s security and future, he will play for President Putin’s team,” Donald Tusk wrote online.
“If Viktor Orbán does indeed block European sanctions at a critical moment in the war, then he is playing for Putin’s team and ours in this great game for Europe’s security and future. That’s clear, given all the implications,” wrote Donald Tusk.
His words were a response to recent assertions by Hungary’s prime minister that Ukraine would not support extending sanctions against Russia unless it resumed shipping Russian gas to Europe.
President Viktor Orban has threatened to veto sanctions against Russia. “That’s unacceptable.”
*Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview with state radio Kossuth that it is unacceptable for us to bear the economic consequences of sanctions for supporting Ukraine.
According to him, Kiev’s actions include: The suspension of Russian gas shipments to Europe led to an increase in raw material prices within the EU. He added that Hungary has lost 19 billion euros in the past three years due to EU sanctions against Russia.
See also: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wants EU sanctions imposed on Russia to be lifted
As a result, Hungary threatened not to support the reimposition of sanctions against Russia. Decisions to extend sanctions must be adopted unanimously by all 27 EU member states every six months. The EU has until January 31 to make a decision. A community foreign ministers’ meeting is scheduled for Monday.
War in Ukraine. Donald Trump’s important decisions
Prime Minister Orban also called on authorities in Kiev to restart Russian gas shipments and appealed to Ukraine not to disrupt oil supplies to Europe.
However, as Politico noted, Budapest could abandon its threat of a veto on sanctions against Russia in connection with a possible US decision to impose further restrictions on Russia. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will impose hefty taxes, tariffs and sanctions on Russia if it does not want to enter into negotiations with Ukraine.
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