According to a Euro News report, Hungary has withdrawn its veto threat, allowing the European Union to renew its sectoral sanctions against Russia for another six months. This decision, reached during a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers on Monday, followed assurances regarding energy security concerns raised by Budapest.
Hungary had initially linked its opposition to unresolved energy disputes with Ukraine, including Kyiv’s decision to terminate Russian gas transit through its territory by the end of 2024. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had demanded the reopening of transit routes for central European countries. Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at a compromise, expressing openness to the transit of Azeri gas through Ukraine.
In response, the European Commission emphasized the importance of energy infrastructure as a matter of EU security and committed to involving Hungary and Slovakia in future discussions with Ukraine on gas supply routes. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó welcomed these assurances, noting Hungary’s energy security concerns had been addressed.
With the sanctions extended, the EU continues to target key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, finance, and technology, while freezing €210 billion in Russian Central Bank assets. Meanwhile, Brussels is already preparing a 16th sanctions package, aiming for approval before the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
