European foreign ministers have sharply criticized Hungary for its intention to block the latest package of EU sanctions against Russia, "Politico" reported, quoted by News.bg.
The bloc met in Brussels to discuss the approval of the 20th package of sanctions against Moscow, which was expected to be adopted before February 24 - the date marking the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa plan to visit Kiev on this occasion.
However, Hungary has said it will block the sanctions unless Kiev resumes Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the "Druzhba" pipeline. The Ukrainian side claims that the facility was damaged by a Russian strike on January 27, while Budapest and Bratislava insist that Kiev deliberately did not restore the flow.
In addition, Hungary has threatened to block a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine agreed in December 2025 by EU leaders.
German Foreign Minister Johann Waddeful expressed surprise at the Hungarian position, saying it was not right for his country to "use its own struggle for freedom to betray European sovereignty". Lithuanian Minister Kęstutis Budrys said he was "really upset and disappointed" and stressed that Hungary's motives were not based on European security interests.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized Hungary for forgetting what it means to resist a Russian invasion. He added that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was portraying Kiev as an enemy, using this narrative for political purposes ahead of parliamentary elections in April.
Vadeful and Budris urged Budapest to reconsider its position, but several ministers remained skeptical about their ability to influence the decision. The EU's top diplomat Kaia Kallas warned that there would be no progress today, but efforts to discuss would continue.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Coiu confirmed this and added that she was not sure whether the 20th package of sanctions would be approved this week, noting that similar situations have happened before.