Hungary lifts veto on renewal of EU sanctions on Russia
Hungary lifted its objection to the renewal of the European Union's sanctions against Russia on a Monday, clearing the way for the measures to remain in force for another six months.
A group of officials related to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government supported the decision at an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels following assurances on energy security, a government spokesperson stated on X.
The vast sanctions the European Union placed on Russia, implemented following its large-scale invasion of Ukraine back in February 2022, were originally due to expire at the end of January.
"The European Union's Foreign Affairs Ministers have agreed once again to prolong the sanctions on Russia", EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Kaja Kallas stated on the X platform.
"This will still cut Moscow off from the revenue needed to finance its attacks. Russia will have to cover the costs of the destruction it's causing," she observed.
The European Commission and Joseph Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, released a statement reassuring Hungary that its worries about energy security will be taken into consideration.
Orban demanded from Ukraine to "guarantee oil and gas transit to Europe," he posted on X. A pipeline that transported Russian natural gas to Central Europe, including Hungary, had been shut off recently.
A decision on extending the sanctions was initially due to be made at the end of last year, but Orban prevented a decision from being taken for several weeks. He also said he would only make a decision after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
Orban has frequently condemned the sanctions on Russia as ineffective and detrimental to the European economy.
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