A group of European Union countries is exploring ways to prevent Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from vetoing sanctions against Russia, according to diplomatic sources. The plan involves transposing EU-wide sanctions into domestic law, effectively undermining Hungary’s ability to block their renewal.
Currently, the EU requires unanimous support from all 27 member states to roll over sanctions every six months. However, with Hungary’s repeated threats to use its veto power, several EU governments are considering introducing their own national sanctions against Russia. This would allow them to bypass the need for a unified EU approach and limit the impact of any potential Hungarian veto.
The move is seen as a response to Orbán’s increasingly isolated stance on Russia, which has sparked concerns among EU partners. Hungary has refused to sign off on EU conclusions regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine, and Orbán has vowed to block measures against Russian oil, gas, and nuclear technology.
According to sources, at least half a dozen EU capitals are advocating for this approach, including countries that have previously been reluctant to impose restrictions outside the EU framework, such as Belgium and the Czech Republic. While not all governments are expected to follow suit, the participation of key countries could significantly reduce the impact of a Hungarian veto.
The plan is still in its early stages, with diplomats acknowledging that there are legal and practical hurdles to overcome. Some countries may not have the necessary legislation in place to introduce national sanctions, and a divided approach could potentially weaken the overall effectiveness of the sanctions regime.
However, with the EU set to impose its 17th round of sanctions against Russia, the pressure is mounting to find a solution to the Hungarian veto conundrum. As one EU diplomat noted, “We all need to be in the mindset where we know it’s possible sanctions won’t be renewed. We have to make sure the whole sanctions regime is resilient.”
The development comes amid growing tensions between Hungary and its EU partners, with some calling for tougher action against countries that violate the rule of law. Germany’s incoming ruling coalition is reportedly advocating for the removal of voting rights for countries that fail to comply with EU norms, a measure that appears targeted at Hungary.
While the plan to introduce national sanctions is seen as a pragmatic solution, it also raises questions about the future of EU decision-making and the potential fragmentation of the bloc’s foreign policy. As Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský cautioned, “If you don’t have a power of veto in your core interests, it’s not only about Hungary, it’s many other states that have core interests – I think Europe could very easily be much weaker.”
