Hungary to decide on anti-Russian sanctions only after talks with Trump, FM says

Hungary has introduced a new condition for supporting additional EU sanctions against Russia, as announced by Hungary’s Minister of European Affairs, János Bóka.

In an interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag on January 31, Bóka said that a decision on the sanctions will only be agreed upon after reaching an understanding with US President Donald Trump, Caliber.Az reports.

Bóka, a close associate to Prime Minister Orbán, insists that the EU must proceed cautiously when imposing further sanctions on Russia. Bóka emphasized that EU member states should first negotiate with the incoming Trump administration to define the purpose and scope of the sanctions package.

"Without such an agreement, the Hungarian government sees no justification for approving further sanctions," Bóka stressed.

As Caliber.Az recalls, the EU is preparing to adopt its 16th sanctions package against Russia, aiming for approval by the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Reports indicate that over 30 individuals and entities from Russia, China, and North Korea may be added to the sanctions list.

Hungary only recently lifted its veto on the EU’s six-month renewal of existing sanctions against Russia, after weeks of blocking the decision over doubts of their effectiveness. Budapest prefered the union put pressure on Ukraine's administration to resume the transit of Russian gas, on which Hungary depended. However, experts suggest that this may not be the last dispute between Budapest and Brussels over Hungary’s stance on Russia and Ukraine.

By Nazrin Sadigova