Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has renewed calls for the European Union to lift sanctions on Russia, citing the economic damage suffered by Budapest and contrasting the EU’s stance with the approach of the newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump. Hungary has consistently criticized Brussels’ policies regarding the Ukraine conflict, arguing that they have failed to bring about peace while severely impacting the economies of EU member states.

On January 27, the European Union extended its sanctions against Russia until the end of July. Despite Hungary’s known opposition to the restrictions, Budapest refrained from blocking the measure. However, in a weekly interview with Kossuth Radio on January 31, Orban hinted that Hungary may take a more assertive stance if its economic losses continue to mount.

Orban emphasized the toll that the sanctions have taken on Hungary, stating, “The Hungarian interest is clear: we have lost 19.5 billion euros ($20 billion) in three years.” The Hungarian leader argued that the restrictions, initially imposed in response to Russia’s escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, have disproportionately harmed European nations while failing to deter Moscow’s strategic objectives.

A major point of contention between Hungary and Ukraine has been the transit of Russian natural gas. In 2023, Kiev declined to extend an agreement that allowed Russian gas to flow through Ukrainian pipelines to European consumers, including Hungary. Orban described this decision as an example of Ukraine’s increasing “impudence,” asserting that the refusal threatened Hungary’s energy........

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