War against Ukraine
Hungary withdraws Veto to EU Russia sanctions
The fact that the EU’s Russia sanctions have to be extended unanimously every six months poses considerable extortion potential for critical states. Now it has been used again.
Hungary has withdrawn his veto against the extension of Russia sanctions expiring at the end of January. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban took the decision necessary to continue the punitive measures at a Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. Previously, the EU Commission and the EU foreign commissioner Kaja Kallas had made an explanation on claims from Budapest. In this, the Hungarians are assured that their concerns about energy security are dealt with.
For his approval for the extension of the sanction, Orban had initially called for the Ukraine to open a recently closed pipeline that had been promoted to Central Europe and thus to Hungary until then.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Hungary had received the required guarantees with regard to energy security. The EU Commission has undertaken to protect the natural gas and oil pipelines to the EU member states and is now calling for assurance from Ukraine to ensure the EU’s oil supply.
Orban blocked several weeks
Orban had maintained its blockade against the extension of sanctions for several weeks. Actually, she was supposed to be decided last year. At the EU summit shortly before Christmas, Orban announced that he had to think about the matter and will only make a decision after the newly elected US President Donald Trump on January 20.
The Republican has repeatedly announced that he could end the Russian war against Ukraine in a short time. From Orban’s point of view, the basis for the sanctions would then be omitted. He had repeatedly criticized it as useless and bad for the European economy.
If Hungary had not approved the extension of the EU sanctions, they would have expired on January 31. The extensive economic and financial sanctions, but also the more symbolic sanctions against more than 2,000 people and companies would be affected. Among the latter are also top Russian politicians such as President Vladimir Putin and numerous oligarchs.
Information from the EU for the meeting
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
