Two EU leaders disagree on Russia sanctions, Ukraine put to bargain

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on January 25 warned his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban of the consequences if the leader blocked new European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia.

Prime Minister Orban estimates that Hungary has lost more than 18 billion euros ($18.9 billion) due to sanctions against Russia. (Source: cepr.org)

The bloc now needs the unanimity of all 27 member states to extend sanctions against Russia, before they expire after January 31.

On social network X, Prime Minister Tusk wrote: “If Viktor Orban really blocks European sanctions at a crucial moment in the war, this action will fully demonstrate that he is on the side of Russian President Vladimir Putin in terms of security and the future of Europe, not us.”

Earlier, on January 24, Prime Minister Orban estimated that Hungary had lost more than 18 billion euros ($18.9 billion) due to sanctions against Russia, forcing Budapest to "step on the brakes" and ask the EU to review its policy.

He said Hungary would only agree to extend sanctions against Moscow if Ukraine resumed deliveries of Russian gas to Europe and stopped attacking compressor stations on the TurkStream pipeline in Russia.

Speaking on state radio, Mr Orban stressed: "The issue of extending sanctions (on Russia) is now being raised and I have pulled the brakes, asking EU leaders to understand that this cannot continue. It is not good that we have to pay for helping Ukraine... and they are causing trouble for us" - referring to Ukraine's recent move to stop the flow of Russian gas to Europe via the Druzhba pipeline.

"We ask the EU to convince Ukraine to resume gas transit," the Hungarian prime minister said, adding that Budapest also wanted guarantees that the main alternative gas route to the country, Turkstream, would not be disrupted and that oil supplies to Hungary would not be disrupted.

If Ukraine wants our support, for example sanctions against Russia, then reopen the gas pipeline and it will only take “a phone call from Brussels” to do this, Mr Orban said.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/two-leaders-eu-dispute-about-russian-ukraine-default-order-302337.html