US senators push sanctions on Hungary over blocking Ukraine aid — FT
Photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Getty Images)
Two US senators from different parties plan to introduce a bill imposing sanctions on high-ranking Hungarian officials for blocking aid to Ukraine, according to the Financial Times.
The idea to introduce the bill arose after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocked a €90 billion loan to Ukraine.
The bill is set to be introduced as early as this week. If passed, the so-called Block Putin Act would require US President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Hungarian government officials involved in the procurement of Russian oil and gas and who seek to block aid to Ukraine.
The bill’s authors are Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis, who are co-chairs of the Senate’s NATO Observer Group. Both politicians have spoken out openly about Europe’s continued dependence on Russian energy resources.
Thom Tillis emphasizes that the US and its allies must remain united in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to cut off the revenue that fuels Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s war.
He adds that the bill held high-ranking Hungarian officials accountable while providing Hungary with a clear path to restoring relations with its allies by ending its dependence on Russian energy and ceasing to obstruct support for Ukraine
For her part, Jeanne Shaheen criticized US Vice President JD Vance, who, according to media reports, plans to visit Hungary a few days before the parliamentary elections.
She says it is unbelievable that Vice President Vance reportedly plans to visit Hungary to support a corrupt government that continues to fund the Russian war machine.
Shaheen adds that if the US wants to end the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration must apply the same standards to all its allies. She emphasizes that no one, and especially Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, should go unpunished.
The Financial Times also notes that the draft bill does not directly mention Orbán as a target of sanctions.
A congressional aide explains that it is up to the Trump administration to determine which Hungarian officials were involved in delaying aid to Ukraine and maintaining Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy resources.
EU loan for Ukraine
In late 2025, the EU approved a $90 billion loan for Ukraine over two years. It served as an alternative to seizing frozen Russian assets. However, Hungary vetoed the loan.
Recently, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that unblocking the EU loan is critically important for Ukraine and its defense capabilities. Without funding, the army and drone production will suffer.
