Politico: Orbán blocks EU sanctions to get billions for defense

Hungary blocked the European Union's 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions to put pressure on the European Commission to approve a €16 billion defence loan from the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, Politico reported, citing diplomatic sources.

At a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Budapest blocked not only the new sanctions package but also a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. It made its veto conditional on the resumption of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. However, according to sources, Hungary may block sanctions even after the pipeline is repaired if the European Commission does not approve the requested loan.

The Commission has not yet approved the loan and, according to Politico, is also delaying the initial payment of €2.4 billion. Sources said the move was intended to increase pressure on Budapest to support the sanctions package.

The new sanctions package was presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It focuses primarily on energy, financial services and trade. The EU had wanted to adopt it by 24 February, the anniversary of the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.

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