Zakharova called Tusk's threats against Orban "Western democracy"

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's threats against his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban are "Western democracy". Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on January 25.

"Tusk threatened Orban with consequences if he vetoed the extension of sanctions against Russia. And because such is Western democracy," she wrote in her Telegram channel.

Earlier in the day, Tusk predicted consequences if Orban blocks anti-Russian sanctions. According to him, it will be absolutely clear that in the game for the security and future of Europe, the Hungarian prime minister "plays on the team of Russian President Vladimir Putin."

In a close fight: Hungary and Slovakia seek ways to counter EU sanctions

Will Bratislava and Budapest be able to relax anti-Russian restrictive measures?

Earlier, on January 22, Orban called on the EU to reconsider the policy of sanctions against Russia. He also drew attention to the fact that the sanctions could neither put an end to the armed conflict, nor paralyze the economy, nor find Europe a replacement for Russian energy from other available sources.

On January 15, it became known that the EU may impose restrictions on the export of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and aluminum, as well as sanctions against dozens of Russian ships as part of new measures against Russia. In addition, one of the possible measures against Russia may be the disconnection of a number of new banks from the payment system Swift.

On December 18, 2024, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the preparation of the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. She urged European countries to support Ukraine, which has moved strongly toward union membership.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.