FT: Hungary opposed EU anti-Russian sanctions and doubling of arms fund for Ukraine
Hungary opposed a new package of anti-Russian sanctions at a meeting of permanent representatives of the European Union (EU), reports Financial Times (FT).
Brussels refused to provide Budapest with 5.8 billion euros for recovery from the pandemic, in response to which Hungary criticized the sanctions against Russia and the doubling of the arms fund for Ukraine and other countries. Some diplomats expressed fear that Hungary would “take hostage” all upcoming EU decisions that require unanimity.
“We must expect radical steps, we must be ready,” a senior EU diplomat told the newspaper.
In addition, Budapest may veto the expansion of the Schengen area without border controls to Croatia and possibly Romania and Bulgaria. It is noted that Hungary spoke in favor of Bulgaria, while Croatia did not receive any information about a potential veto.
Earlier, the European Commission (EC) proposed to allocate another financial assistance to Kyiv in the amount of 18 billion euros. In particular, the EC was going to provide funds “in the form of loans on very favorable terms, which will be paid in regular installments from the beginning of 2023.”
#Hungary #opposed #antiRussian #sanctions