Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government of “having long since left the European Union.” This statement follows reports that Hungary adhered to Kremlin orders to remove a Russian national from sanctions lists.
Tusk expressed his concerns during a press conference on Tuesday, the same day an investigation revealed that Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó attempted to help a Russian oligarch’s sister evade EU sanctions.
In a leaked phone call from August 2024, Szijjártó is heard agreeing to work with Slovakia to propose her removal from the sanctions list. This revelation arrives just weeks before crucial parliamentary elections in Hungary, which could see Orbán replaced by the more EU-friendly Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasised the need for European ministers to focus on confronting Russia rather than supporting it. Despite being a NATO and EU member, Hungary maintains friendly relations with the Kremlin and continues to rely on Russian energy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Additionally, Budapest is blocking a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine, attributing the halt in Russian oil shipments to Ukraine’s actions, while Kyiv blames the disruption on Russian drone strikes.
