Bloomberg reported on the EU's intention to extend anti-Russian sanctions

The European Union (EU) intends to extend sanctions against Russia for another six months, while Hungary will make concessions on this issue. This was reported by Bloomberg news agency on January 27, citing sources.

"According to knowledgeable sources, on Monday [January 27] the European Union intends to agree to extend sanctions against Russia because of its conflict with Ukraine, while Hungary is ready to withdraw its opposition to the move," the material says.

As the agency writes, Budapest has been postponing a decision on the extension of sanctions since December 2024. Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told EU leaders that he wants to wait for the inauguration of US President Donald Trump before deciding whether to agree to extend the restrictions. Orban also urged the EU to put pressure on Kiev to restore Russian gas transit to Europe.

"EU sanctions need to be renewed every six months, and while this is a routine decision, it requires the support of all member states," Bloomberg explains.

The agency recalls that Trump has made it clear that he wants to tighten sanctions against Russia if its President Vladimir Putin does not sit down at the negotiating table on the Ukrainian conflict.

Put on ultimatum: how Budapest blocks extension of sanctions against Russia

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On January 25, the head of the Polish government Donald Tusk said that Orban would face consequences in case of blocking anti-Russian sanctions. According to him, in this case, the Hungarian prime minister would allegedly take the side of the Russian president.

Earlier, on January 19, the deputy speaker of the Slovak parliament, Tibor Gaspar, said that due to the actions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (his term expired on May 20, 2024), the EU could suffer damage worth €70 billion.

In late August 2024, Zelensky said the country would not renew a gas transit agreement with Russia that expired at the end of last year. Putin later indicated that Moscow was not giving up gas transit through Ukraine.

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