Hungary has temporarily abandoned its demand to lift EU sanctions against three Russian oligarchs – Petro Aven, Viktor Rashnikov and Alisher Usmanov.
This is reported by Politico.
It is noted that the previous position of Budapest could disrupt the continuation of anti-Russian sanctions.
On the eve of the meeting of EU representatives, the Czech Republic, which presides over the EU Council, reached an agreement with the Hungarians, postponing this issue until the next revision of the sanctions lists in a couple of months.
Earlier, Radio Svoboda correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, citing sources, reported that Budapest threatens to prevent the extension of some EU sanctions against the Russian Federation if personal sanctions against three Russian oligarchs continue to be maintained.
According to the journalist’s interlocutors, Hungary demands the cancellation of personal sanctions against oligarchs Alisher Usmanov, Petr Aven and Viktor Rashnikov. Budapest wants to remove them from the list. In addition, Hungary is seeking exemptions from sanctions against Russian banks for humanitarian organizations.
The interlocutors assume that Hungary is putting pressure on Brussels in this way in order to move an issue important to it – the approval of a “covid” package of European funds for Hungary, which is being delayed due to Brussels’ questions about problems with the rule of law in this country.
As reported earlier, Hungary officially opposed the introduction of visa restrictions for Russians or complicating the procedure for issuing visas. In addition, Budapest promises to block new energy sanctions against the Russian Federation.
During the review of the latest sanctions package against Russia, Hungary insisted that it not include restrictions on energy imports from Russia, as well as against Gazprombank.
Hungary also blocked the introduction of European sanctions against Russian oil, which ultimately led to the exclusion from sanctions of oil imports both to Hungary itself and to a number of other countries.
