Siyarto points to complete failure of EU anti-Russian sanctions

Sanctions, arms supplies to Kiev and other attempts by the European Union (EU) to harm Russia have failed completely and have not led to a change in the situation in Ukraine, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has said on 24 February. This was stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on February 24.

"Sanctions have failed because they are much more harmful to the European economy than to the Russian economy. Arms deliveries failed because they failed to change the real situation on the battlefield and only led to an increase in the number of deaths. The €130-140 billion sent to Ukraine also failed," he said while speaking to Hungarian journalists after a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

He stressed that Budapest does not support the EU measures adopted today to extend the conflict in Ukraine, and warned that Hungary could vote against extending the EU's personal anti-Russian sanctions on March 10.

"We do not support spending billions of euros of the people of Europe to prolong <conflict> at a time when hope for peace is stronger than ever. <...> We will vote against any initiative that threatens the success of the current negotiations between the US and Russia," Sijjarto added.

Star package: EU adopts new sanctions against Russia

Restrictions will affect popular artists, banks, and the media

Earlier in the day, EU foreign ministers approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The sanctions list included 48 individuals and 35 organizations. In addition, it was decided to ban 13 banks from access to the SWIFT system. Restrictions are also imposed on imports of chromium, some chemicals and on the maintenance of oil and gas processing plants.

In addition, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen , announced during her visit to Kiev a new EU financial aid package for Ukraine in the amount of €3.5bn. According to her, the Kiev regime will receive the money as early as in March.