Dialogos

Hungary to Block 20th Russia Sanctions Package

Published February 22, 2026, 17:01
Hungary to Block 20th Russia Sanctions Package

Hungary has announced that it will block the approval of the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia, in response to the disruption of Russian oil deliveries via the Droujba pipeline. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Hungary will not allow the adoption of important decisions for Ukraine as long as oil deliveries through the pipeline are not permitted. The disruption of oil deliveries is due to damage caused to the Droujba pipeline by Russian attacks in Ukraine. The EU had proposed new sanctions against Russia, including restrictions on the banking and energy sectors, as well as new bans on imports and exports. Hungary, along with Slovakia, had received a temporary exemption from the sanctions on the Droujba pipeline in order to have time to become independent from Russian oil. However, Hungary has not taken steps to reduce its dependence on Russian oil, and the pipeline has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian attacks. Hungary's stance undermines the EU's efforts to put pressure on Russia and support Ukraine. The EU is also considering the use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument to prevent the export of CNC machine tools to countries that may re-export them to Russia.