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Hungary drops veto threat – EU extends sanctions against Russia

by AI | 27.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Hungary drops its veto threat and agrees to extend the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
“Absolutely necessary,” says Sweden’s foreign minister.

Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden's Foreign Minister. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Brussels – Hungary drops its veto threat and agrees to extend the EU’s sanctions against Russia.

“Europe delivers. This will continue to deprive Moscow of revenue to finance the war. Russia needs to pay for the damages it causes,” writes the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a statement.

The agreement came after Hungary stalled until the last moment, demanding measures due to Ukraine no longer wanting to allow deliveries of Russian gas and oil through the country.

“It’s not right that we should continue to bear the economic consequences of the sanctions to help Ukraine while they quarrel with us,” said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Hungarian radio last Friday.

The dispute is now resolved with the help of a joint EU statement, which among other things promises continued discussions between the EU Commission and Ukraine about deliveries to Europe, “in accordance with Ukraine’s international commitments”.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has been “disappointed” that Hungary has not acted more constructively in the negotiations, but she nevertheless already anticipated an agreement.

“It is absolutely necessary for us to be able to continue to keep the pressure high on Russia and damage their war economy,” she said on her way to Monday’s meeting in Brussels.

(January 27)