Hungary vetoes another important anti-Russia EU measure

The European Union would like to sanction Russian justice officials and national security agents involved in jailing and poisoning Vladimir Kara-Murza, a well-known Russian opposition journalist and public figure. But Hungary vetoed that decision. Here is why.

According to index.hu, the Hungarian veto came at the last moment and out of the blue, but it is connected with a recent Ukrainian decision putting Hungary’s OTP Bank among the war sponsors. Mr Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in jail because of high treason. He lobbied for anti-Russia sanctions and fought against President Putin because he believes the Russian government harmed human rights multiple times.

EUobserver wrote that the ambassadors of the EU almost agreed on sanctions against officials and agents concerned with Kara-Murza’s jail sentence and attempted poisoning, but Hungary intervened. Therefore, the EU foreign ministers will not accept the list of Russian officials. According to the EUobserver, Hungary vetoed at least one person.

Here is what Hungary probably wants in return for the latest anti-Russia sanction

EU diplomats said Hungary wanted Ukraine to cross the Hungarian OTP Bank from the list of war sponsors because that harms the bank’s international reputation. The paper said even Hungarian opposition politicians do not understand why the cabinet this enthusiastically defends the bank. OTP said they did not ask for help from the government.

We wrote HERE that the Hungarian government blocked the disbursement of the eighth instalment of the European Peace Facility (EPF) for arms to Ukraine. That means Kyiv will not get an additional EUR 500M for weapons due to be paid on 22 May.