Lithuania, Germany urge Hungary to reconsider blocking Russia sanctions

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said the European Union cannot become a hostage to Hungary after Budapest announced its intention to block the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia.

Speaking ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in comments to LRT, Budrys stressed that the Druzhba oil pipeline — cited by Hungary as the reason for its position — has not been blocked but damaged by Russian forces and is currently under repair, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lithuanian media.

“We cannot become hostages to one country. While other states raise specific issues related to the future activities of their companies, Hungary is simply blocking sanctions on principle,” the minister said. He added: “They want Russian oil because it is cheap, nice, and perhaps smells better than other oil — and that’s it. I see a lot of politics here.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also addressed Hungary’s decision to block the sanctions package. According to him, EU foreign ministers will urge Hungary to reconsider its stance. “I do not think it is right that Hungary is betraying its own struggle for freedom and European sovereignty,” Wadephul said.

He added that the EU’s arguments would once again be presented to Hungarian counterparts both in Budapest and in Brussels, in an effort to persuade Hungary to change its position.

Earlier, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, speaking before the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, said the new, 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia was unlikely to be adopted on February 23 due to Hungary’s position.

She emphasised that Hungary is blocking the package over “issues that are absolutely unrelated to the 20th sanctions package” and stated that every effort would be made to move the decision forward.

By Khagan Isayev