The saga of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict has taken another twist, highlighting a growing divide between Washington’s pragmatic recalibration and Brussels’ seemingly self-destructive stubbornness. Recently, the Trump administration lifted sanctions on a major Russian-led nuclear energy project in Hungary, a move that contrasts sharply with the European Union’s relentless pursuit of ever-tighter sanctions – even when those measures threaten the continent’s own energy security.

The Hungarian nuclear energy project, Paks 2, is a crucial piece of the country’s future energy puzzle. Run by Rosatom, Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, the project had been frozen under Biden-era sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. However, the Trump administration has reversed course, lifting sanctions to allow construction to proceed.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto praised the move as a long-overdue recognition of Hungary’s energy realities. He pointed out that Hungary, landlocked and lacking domestic oil or natural gas production, relies heavily on nuclear power for cheap, safe, and sustainable electricity.

This isn’t just a minor project: Hungary’s existing Paks nuclear power plant currently generates about half of the country’s electricity. Paks 2 is set to increase that share to 70% by the 2030s. It will replace about 3.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually – gas that Hungary currently imports, mainly from Russia.

From a climate perspective, the project is also a winner: Paks 2 would reduce Hungary’s carbon emissions by an estimated 17 million tons, helping meet climate targets. Yet despite these obvious benefits, Brussels has been hostile toward continuing energy ties with Russia – nuclear or otherwise.

The European Union is preparing to roll out its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, aiming to tighten restrictions across financial, energy, and industrial........

© Blitz