Why Hungary is again blocking the latest round of Russia sanctions FT explains

On February 14, the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member states planned to agree on the next package of sanctions against Russia, but the adoption of the document was prevented by the representative of Hungary.

Hungary has blocked the approval of the latest package of EU sanctions against Moscow, this time not because of opposition to measures targeting Russia — but China, officials told the Financial Times.

The EU is aiming to get its 13th package of sanctions against the Kremlin over the line by the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in nine days’ time. It would complement a €50 billion financial support package for Kyiv, and a move to set aside profits from Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets.

Hungary was the sole naysayer at a meeting of EU ambassadors yesterday that otherwise would have signed off on the sanctions package, which targets almost 200 people and entities from Russia, China and other countries who are deemed to be helping Moscow’s war effort.

“The Hungarians did not agree due to Chinese companies,” said one of the officials. Hungary, and its Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, have on multiple occasions slowed down or diluted EU measures aimed at punishing Russia or assisting Ukraine.

Another official briefed on the discussions diplomatically described it as “a very fruitful exchange”, delicately detailing Hungary’s blockage as Budapest’s ambassador “request[ing] a bit more time to analyse the content of the proposals”.

A spokesman for the Hungarian ambassador to the EU did not respond to a request for comment.