It was déjà vu for EU diplomats yesterday as Hungary once again blocked progress on measures aimed at assisting Ukraine’s defence against Russia, Financial Times reports. The EU is aiming to get its 13th package of sanctions against the Kremlin. It would complement a €50bn 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.
The proposal is not without controversy, given that it calls for sanctions against three Chinese companies and one in India. A similar move last year was blocked by a chorus of member states. If approved, it would be the first time businesses in mainland China and India have been hit by EU sanctions.
Discussions will continue, officials said, and likely be taken up by member state ministers at meetings next week.
