New US sanctions on the horizon: possible impact on travel
An international investigative online outlet has received information regarding potential new US sanctions against Hungarian individuals.
According to index.hu, VSquare, an international investigative outlet, reported on these potential sanctions in a newsletter. Based on their information, Joe Biden has informed several of his European allies that Washington may introduce new sanctions against Hungarian individuals. An insider at the outlet suggested that the reason behind these sanctions is corruption.
No further details have been disclosed in this matter. As a result, we remain uncertain about who the targeted individuals will be, when the resolutions will come into effect or the nature of the restrictions to be imposed. Nonetheless, VSquare speculates that even Prime Minister Viktor Orbán may interpret them as personal attacks. This implies that the sanctions may affect members of the Hungarian political and business elite, possibly impacting their ability to travel or engage in trade.
Regrettably, such measures have a history in the US-Hungary relationship. In April, the US imposed sanctions on the leadership of the Russian International Investment Bank, which was previously headquartered in Budapest. One of the individuals targeted was Imre Laszlóczki, the Hungarian deputy director of the bank.
At the time, David Pressman, the British ambassador in Budapest, stated that the bank, funded by the Kremlin, posed a threat to European countries and their allies. The Hungarian government responded promptly, with Hungary withdrawing from the IIB, recalling its officials, and the bank subsequently leaving Hungary. We reported on this development HERE.
Moreover, the United States restricted the visa waiver programme for Hungarian passport holders in August, citing unspecified security policy reasons. You can learn more about the actual reason behind this move HERE. Prior to that, the US unilaterally terminated a vital double taxation treaty. For more information on this matter, refer to THIS article.
The Orbán-Biden conflict driving sanctions, restrictions and challenges
The conflict between the Orbán and Biden administrations has been ongoing for years. Orbán has openly supported Trump, maintained ties with Russia, regularly criticised Washington for its support of Ukraine, vehemently argued for peace in Ukraine and fostered strong relations with China. Orbán is scheduled to travel to China next week to meet Xi Jinping amid growing tensions between the US and China. Furthermore, Orbán has not given the green light for Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Index believes that any announcement of new sanctions will likely come from Ambassador Pressman, although he has not yet given any indication of such announcements.
Zsolt Bayer, one of the prominent pro-government publicists, was outraged by the news of potential new sanctions. In a furious blog post, he expressed his desire to be among those targeted by the sanctions. Bayer referred to members of the Biden administration as “double-zero assholes,” “black belt villains” and “self-defeating idiot scoundrels” (. Furthermore, he referred to Ambassador Pressman as an “old, soft grouch.”
Fantastic. Put the screws as tight as possible on the corrupt Fidesz politicians and their corrupt business friends. The US did specify exactly what the security concerns of Hungarian passports were. Fidesz has been handing out Hungarian passports to “Hungarians” who reside in other countries and are dual nationals. This includes countries such as Serbia where Serbs require a visa to enter the US. The Hungarian government refused to disclose to the US information about the status of these Hungarian passport holders thus posing a security risk to the US. The US cannot allow dual nationals to circumvent visa requirements by using a Hungarian passport.
How rich, corrupt Biden wanting to sanction Orbans government and associates for corruption. That is laughable considering that there is only one government in the world more than Bidens government. The most corrupt is Zelinski’s Ukrainian government.
It is obvious that Derrick lives somewhere besides Hungary.
@The Truth Hurts. It is obvious you work for the US Embassy. The Hungarian Government should expel the Ambassador David Pressman and 90% of the more than 200 Americans working the Embassy. There is no legitimate reason for that many Americans to be stationed at the US Embassy in Budapest..
Anyone should be worried by security issues in this day and age. Especially when it comes to cross border traffic – the immigrants / refugees / dangerous foreigners our Politicians bang on about in a domestic context. We issued fast-track citizenship to a million people since 2011 …
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66373977
Makes for a loyal voting base, though!
Biden family The most corrupt in the history of the US. VP Biden was sent to Ukraine after it violently ousted the elected president with help Ukraine Nazis and made Ukraine a big winner in corruption.
No one has bigger involment with China than the US- it’s responsible for it success.
Hungary is like a local car wash for Chinese made car in comparison
The ‘mire’ that deepens, of the Hungarian and United States of America relationship, will result in massive damage to Hungary, its Economic ‘soft’ position, sooner than later.
Does the United States of America consider Hungary a Democracy ?
No – and as Orban ‘wines and dines’ with his Chinese bankers China, just adds greater fuel to the sanctions coming on Hungary from the United States of America.
Ha ha… Hungary a democracy… silly kids. Never has been never will be. As for corruption… it’s everywhere just more obvious in some places. The plumber becomes a billionaire (euros) by obviously working hard long honest hours installing toilets.
@Derrick Von Mouthpiece: Read the other comments from real Hungarians and learn. Do not be a troll, you are such a snowflake!
@DerrickVanderLisle – interesting read, perhaps:
https://www.dw.com/en/is-hungary-becoming-russias-spy-hub-within-the-eu/a-64041861
Our ties with China and Russia can be problematic, especially since we are in alliances which do not particularly align with them. And, no, you can’t be friends with everyone, sometimes you have to choose (even if it is for a lesser evil)