Long reputed to be Russia-friendly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has often railed against the continuation of the EU sanctions, claiming that they impose an intolerable burden on the Hungarian economy and provide no solution for the carnage in Ukraine.
EU sanctions against Russia are bad, but it's all good when Donald Trump threatens to impose them, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The European Union is set to extend sanctions on Russia over its war against Ukraine on Monday, with Hungary ready to lift its opposition to the move, according to people familiar with the matter.
Hungary's representatives have not yet agreed to a decision on the extension of EU sanctions against Russia. The issue will be considered at an EU Council meeting at foreign minister level on Monday,
BRUSSELS – Hungary removed its veto on the EU's six-month extension of Russia sanctions on Monday, but it may not be its last standoff. The deal was struck after the EU agreed to issue a joint, non-binding statement by top diplomat Kaja Kallas and the European Commission to support Hungary's energy security at Monday's meeting of foreign ministers.
Hungary wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute it has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc’s upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia.
Before relenting, Budapest had threatened to allow billions of dollars to flow back to the Kremlin in a row over energy imports.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union renewed its wide-ranging sanctions on Russia on Monday for another six months after Hungary stopped holding up the move in return for assurances about energy security.
Hungary has quietly expanded its visa program, allowing tens of thousands of Russians and Belarusians to enter the country with minimal security screening. Given Hungary’s membership in the Schengen Zone,
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday that halting Russian gas flows via Ukraine and the resulting rise in costs as users seek
Elsewhere, Hungary backs down on threat to veto EU sanctions on Russia; Poland reveals Russian interference attempts in May’s presidential election; Czech police reopen investigation into suspected defenestration of Czechoslovak foreign minister.