Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the European Union to lift sanctions on Russia, news portal Telex reported on Jan. 17. According to the Hungarian outlet, Orban said it's "time to throw sanctions out the window" and establish a sanctions-free relationship with Russia during a radio interview.

The European Union (EU) faces a critical challenge as Hungary signals it may veto the extension of sanctions against Russia. These sanctions, introduced in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022,

The EU is reportedly considering using a wartime, signed by the king, to block the potential transfer of €190 billion worth of Russian assets.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned the bloc’s other 26 leaders he might block the sanctions’ renewal, citing his expectation of Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president on Jan. 20. Orban argued that if Trump eased U.