In a message posted on X, Donald Tusk, the Polish Prime Minister, commented on the actions of Hungary, whose representatives have not yet agreed to extend sanctions against Russia.
“Yes [le premier ministre hongrois Viktor] Orban is actually blocking European sanctions at this key moment in the war, it will be absolutely clear that, in this great game for the security and future of Europe, he is playing in Putin's team, and not in the OUR. With all the consequences that this implies”wrote Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
The Hungarian Prime Minister maintained his threat on Friday to block the renewal of European sanctions against Russia, but could lift his veto if Brussels convinces kyiv to restore the transit of Russian gas to Central Europe. The Europeans “should not try to convince us not to end the sanctions, but convince the Ukrainians to ensure that the sanctions are maintained”he declared to a radio close to power. “We ask them to tell the Ukrainians to restore the gas supply”he added.
-Last week, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, called not to ” give up “ to sanctions. On Wednesday, American President Donald Trump, of whom Viktor Orban is one of the closest allies within the EU, himself threatened Russia with taxes, customs duties and sanctions in the absence of a rapid agreement on the conflict in Ukraine.
On Friday, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, assured during a press conference in Paris that “These sanctions which were undertaken were not done for the beauty of the gesture, they were done in the interest of the security of Europeans. I believe that Hungary will agree, as it has done in the past, to renew these sanctions.”.
