US convinces Hungary not to block extension of EU sanctions against Russia - Politico
Photo: Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State (Getty Images)
Hungary refused to block the extension of EU sanctions against Russia after Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Politico reports.
Hungary planned to veto the extension of sanctions, citing, among other things, Donald Trump's return to the White House. However, the latter later threatened Russia with new restrictions if the Kremlin did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
In particular, according to Politico's sources, Rubio called Szijjártó and urged him not to undermine the EU's sanctions policy, which eventually helped convince Budapest to back down.
At the same time, Politico adds that Trump may change his tactics at any time and propose to ease sanctions restrictions. In this case, the EU will lose leverage in its attempts to influence Hungary.
At the moment, there is no consensus in the EU to ease sanctions against Russia, regardless of the White House's decision.
Sanctions against Russia
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia. They include economic restrictions on trade, freezing of assets of Russian banks and companies, restrictions on the export of technology and high-tech equipment, and more.
At the end of December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán threatened the EU to veto sanctions against Russia. According to Kaja Kallas, the head of European diplomacy, the EU is looking for a mechanism to counter Hungary's blocking of decisions.
