In a recent turn of events, Hungary has thrown a wrench into the European Union’s plans to implement its 13th sanctions package against Russia.

Surprisingly, this obstruction was not rooted in Hungary’s opposition to measures directed at Russia; rather, it stemmed from concerns regarding China’s involvement, as reported by the Financial Times.

The EU’s intention was to finalise the 13th round of sanctions against Russia ahead of the two-year anniversary of Ukraine’s full-scale invasion, looming just nine days away.

This package, alongside a substantial financial aid initiative for Kyiv totaling 50 billion euros, and a proposal to allocate profits from frozen Russian assets, was poised to target nearly 200 individuals and entities allegedly supporting Moscow’s military endeavors.

However, Hungary stood as the solitary dissenting voice during the recent gathering of EU ambassadors.

Their objection prevented the unanimous approval of the sanctions, which were intended to encompass entities not only from Russia but also from China and other nations suspected of aiding Russian military activities.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Hungarian officials raised concerns specifically related to Chinese companies.

This move echoes Hungary’s consistent pattern of either delaying or diluting EU measures aimed at penalizing Russia or supporting Ukraine, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

In a diplomatic twist, discussions surrounding Hungary’s objection were described as “a very fruitful exchange,” with one official delicately attributing Hungary’s blockade to a request for additional time to scrutinize the proposals.

However, underlying tensions regarding the inclusion of sanctions against three Chinese companies and one Indian company add complexity to the situation.

A similar attempt to impose sanctions on Chinese entities last year was met with resistance from multiple member states.

Despite Hungary’s intervention, proponents of the sanctions package remain hopeful. It is anticipated that discussions will persist and likely be escalated to the ministerial level during the upcoming week’s meeting.

The aim is to secure an agreement before the looming deadline of February 24th, ensuring timely action in response to Russia’s aggression.

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Read also: Putin’s “Trojan horse” in the EU Viktor Orban criticises sanctions against Russia.

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