Orbán sidelined: Sanctions no longer need Hungary’s approval under new EU emergency mechanism
The European Union has approved an emergency legal mechanism that effectively removes Hungary’s ability to veto future extensions of sanctions on Russia. The decision, adopted by a clear majority of EU ambassadors on Thursday, marks one of the most significant institutional responses to the bloc’s long-running internal disputes over support for Ukraine.
Emergency powers to keep EUR 210 billion in Russian assets frozen
Under the new rules, the European Commission will have the authority to keep Russian state assets frozen until Moscow ends its war in Ukraine and pays reparations. The assets, totalling around EUR 210 billion and held largely within Euroclear in Belgium, form part of a larger EU plan to provide Ukraine with a reparations-backed loan, according to Politico.
Previously, sanctions against Russia had to be renewed unanimously every six months. This allowed any single member state, including Hungary, to block extensions and potentially trigger the return of frozen Russian funds. If that were to happen after the EU issued a loan backed by these assets, member states themselves could be liable to repay Russia. The new mechanism removes that risk.
The Council’s Danish presidency announced that ambassadors had agreed on a revised Article 122 proposal and initiated a written procedure for final adoption. Article 122 of the EU treaties allows for exceptional measures in crisis situations affecting multiple member states, typically in cases of severe energy supply disruptions or major economic shocks.
According to the legal text seen by Politico, the emergency powers will remain in place until Russia ends its aggression against Ukraine and commits to paying compensation.
A blow to Kremlin-friendly governments
The legal change significantly undermines the prospects of a future compromise with Russia that would include the release of frozen assets: an idea supported by US President Donald Trump but opposed within most of Europe.
It also curtails the influence of governments with close Kremlin ties, such as Hungary and Slovakia, both of which have repeatedly opposed EU-level measures aimed at supporting Ukraine or penalising Russia.
Brussels argues that releasing the assets would cause severe economic damage to the bloc and could embolden Russia to carry out hybrid attacks across Europe.
Hungarian government condemns decision as “legally flawed”
The Hungarian government sharply criticised the EU move, calling it “unprecedented” in a statement shared on X. Budapest argues that the EU bypassed standard unanimous decision-making and relied on what it considers an inappropriate legal basis.
According to the Hungarian position, the European Commission and several member states have increasingly sought to reclassify sanctions as measures that do not require unanimity. However, Hungary maintains that these remain foreign policy decisions, which fall under rules that explicitly demand unanimous approval.
The government also claims the decision ignores previous rulings by the European Court of Justice, which allow departures from unanimity only in the event of a “genuine, immediate threat”: something Budapest says the EU has failed to demonstrate.
Hungary warns that the move could have serious geopolitical consequences by worsening EU–Russia relations and complicating future peace negotiations. It also indicated it may challenge the decision at the European Court of Justice.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico separately wrote to European Council President António Costa to express opposition to any arrangements that would indirectly cover Ukraine’s future military spending.
Doomsday – nears rightfully, for the name – Victor Mihaly, Orban, his Fidesz Government by the POWER of the European Union, that this decision in MAJORITY accept recognize that Victor Mihaly. Orban is the “Judas” of the European Union, of DEMOCRACY.
In HOPE come Spring of 2026 fellow Hungarians in millions use the POWER of their Vote that end’s this “tyrants” hold through his “idiotic” practice being his Political Ideas and Philosophy , his Creeds, his Ideology.
The “plank” he has walk through acceleration acceptance over time, not just his (2) two being Prime Minister of Hungary, but prior even to his 1989 podium SERMON in Hero’s Square advocating under DEMOCRACY – it was the FUTURE for Hungary.
Orban – never, never, never can be viewed as a Peacemaker through his ALWAYS being not of truth to Hungarians but his “mouth” always being of a “two sword” a double sided agenda.
Hungary, through Victor Mihaly. Orban the “veiling” of his factual agenda hidden with his Fidesz Government, inclusive of the Oligarch – the “hiding” behind the SOVERINTY retainment need of Hungary.
Victor Mihaly. Orban – his distillation of DEMOCRACY in Hungary, the destruction of relationships with numerous countrys governed or that respect Democracy, the destruction of NO respect nor Trust in the name Hungary inside the European Union = Appalling.
Hungary – who are our FRIENDS ???
Victor Mihaly. Orban post doomsday come Spring of 2026 – his legacy to Hungary through History will SLAME – defame, humiliate and Shame rightfully – this “tyrannical” – who individually, in a single handed “mind set” – caused, was the principal catalyst – that DELIVERED throughout his Political life, to the DEVASTATED country we find are seeing living in Hungary 2025.
The “plank” no longer can HOLD the weight of the being, the name Victor Mihaly. Orban – his Fidesz Government – the HOLD of the Oligarch they “play out” enforce over Hungarians over Hungary.
Doomsday rightfully of Victor Mihaly. Orban and all Political and “others” through the destruction the devastation they all have IMPOSED on Hungary, nears their rightful END.
Victor Mihaly. Orban – the name Fidesz – have nothing, absolutely NOTHING, nothing to give – to CONTRIBUTE to the FUTURE of Hungary – NOTHING.
The dictator has been neutered. It should have been done a long time ago.
What does it matter, Dear Larry?; – as we speak the one you refer to as ‘a dictator’ is the face of the new European Union, Xi, Putin, and Trump having decided to regime-change the regime-changers, and set up ‘the dictator’ as the new head.
Very ironic and perhaps singular in history that those who are attempting to regime-change someone are themselves getting regime-changed.
Meanwhile, the whole world has concluded that a Bruxelles-led Europe is no place anyone can invest money – because you cannot trust them to abide by any of their own rules!
Finally! good news fro everyone. this blackmailing was too much. If Hungarians do not like this decision let me show you the door to leave the EU, and why not? NATO as well
There is no point to Hungary leaving the European Union, Dear Jose – as it is coming apart.
The rule of law when it suits the EU
Yes Dear Ronald, the Bruxelles-led EU is the Platinum standard for a complete disconnect from reality.
They, the EU, say they are in favour of ‘Democracy, yet they install puppets like a New England educated lesbian in the most Orthodox country in Europe – Moldova; they, the EU, select the presidential candidates they want in Romania, all while trying to regime-change Viktor Orban via the most blatant illegal means- all while decrying him for being ‘ undemocratic’.
Meanwhile they declare they are looking after the security of European nations while importing their non-European replacements, AND, if someone complains that there is too much inflation, they, the EU, say – sorry we have no money – it’s in the Ukraine for those we hired to try and regime change Vladimir Putin.
Yes, I have been around a long time – and I have NEVER seen anything like the Bruxelles-led EU.
More shocking still – 35% of Hungarians actually want to support this regime and increase their intimacy to it.
Trump wants two things- — stop killing and end the march to war with russia by the crazies in the EU and hopeffuly he has made it clear the US will not be funding it. Since the EU can void votes by its members – they can void any call to send men to fight for a war they created and keep blaming Russia fot everything including climate change
Yes, Dear TM – sadly, the EU has many reasons to sacrifice millions more Slavic people.
The good news, however, is as you state – Trump is finished with this pathetic tragedy.