Hungary to Veto New EU Russia Sanctions Over Druzhba Oil Transit

Hungary vetoed the EU’s proposed 20th sanctions package against Russia, conditioning approval on the resumption of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline after a Jan. 27 drone strike in western Ukraine halted shipments; Budapest’s stance could also stall a roughly €90 billion EU loan for Kyiv. The European Commission outlined expanded measures targeting Russian energy revenues and logistics—including a maritime services ban for crude, actions against “shadow fleet” vessels, and tighter financial and trade restrictions—while several EU officials publicly criticized Hungary’s position.