Bloomberg: Hungary’s Orban stalls EU vote on Russia sanctions, eyes Trump’s return

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has reportedly told European Union leaders that he wants to wait until the inauguration of his ally, Donald Trump, before deciding whether to support the extension of the EU’s sanctions against Russia.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Orban’s move to delay the decision was a surprise to his EU counterparts, Caliber.Az reports referring to Bloomberg.

The EU has imposed 15 rounds of sanctions on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, with extensions required every six months. The next renewal is due by the end of January, just 11 days after Trump’s inauguration. Normally, such extensions are routine, but they require unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. This opens the possibility for Orban to veto the extension.

The European Union has been increasingly concerned that Trump, who has previously suggested reducing or eliminating US support for Ukraine, might strike a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban’s stance highlights a key worry for European leaders: that Hungary, under Orban's leadership, may align with Trump to undermine the EU’s unity in supporting Ukraine, both financially and militarily.

In the final weeks of the Biden administration, the US and the EU have been working to intensify sanctions against Russia, which is facing economic pressure. However, Orban has often obstructed EU efforts to impose further sanctions on Russia or offer greater support to Ukraine. He is a close ally of Trump and even travelled to Florida this month for a meeting with him.

At the EU summit in Brussels this week, leaders appeared to be in a waiting game, uncertain about what Orban would do once Trump returns to the White House. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the EU's commitment to Ukraine, stating, “The main message today was full support for Ukraine as long as it takes.”

However, the potential return of Trump has left the EU in a vulnerable position. The summit revealed the EU’s tentative stance, as some key leaders were absent or politically weakened. French President Emmanuel Macron skipped the summit to address flood damage in the Indian Ocean, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni left early due to illness. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, though present, faced political challenges at home.

Orban, speaking at the summit’s closing news conference, suggested that Europe should adopt “strategic patience” in anticipation of Trump’s presidency. “We should not do anything that would go against this future transatlantic relationship,” he advised, referring to the importance of maintaining strong ties with the US.

European governments are concerned about filling any gap in aid to Ukraine that might result from a shift in US policy. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen noted that the EU would need to increase defence spending in response.

Chancellor Scholz, who recently lost a confidence vote, expressed optimism about continued cooperation with the US under Trump, following a phone conversation with the president-elect on December 19. “I am quite confident that the USA, like Europe, will continue their support for Ukraine,” Scholz said. “But of course, with a clear perspective that there will be a fair peace for Ukraine, that it can defend its sovereignty and that the killing will end.”

By Tamilla Hasanova