Hungarian Prime Minister Gergely György noted in recent EU discussions that not only Hungary but several other European Union members are pushing to exempt certain Russian citizens from sanctions. The intention, he explained, extends beyond a single country and reflects a broader approach under consideration by the bloc. The debate continues to center on who should remain on sanction lists and who might be removed, with multiple member states presenting their own criteria for inclusion or exclusion.
György emphasized that the process involved careful, person-by-person assessment. He described the introduction of individual justifications for each case, illustrating how complex and nuanced the matter has become. However, the Hungarian government did not disclose the names of the Russian individuals affected or the specific reasons cited for their potential removal from sanctions. The briefings provided at the time were cautious, and the details remained undisclosed for the sake of ongoing diplomacy and procedural integrity, according to EU officials familiar with the discussions.
In related developments, former Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó indicated that Hungary favors lifting EU sanctions against nine Russian businessmen. He stressed that the dialogue on sanctions involves more than a simple binary choice and that Hungary seeks a targeted approach that could ease some economic restrictions while maintaining broader punitive measures for others. This stance reflects Budapest’s broader aim to balance national interests with the EU’s common foreign and security policy framework, as conveyed by EU observers who follow the negotiations closely.
Additionally, Szijjártó noted that the European Union is preparing a tenth sanctions package, which is expected to include a designation against Denis Manturov, the head of Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. Hungary, however, expressed strong reservations about this move, arguing that punitive steps in certain sectors could backfire on strategic economic and energy relationships and complicate long-standing cooperation in critical industries. EU officials familiar with the talks indicated that any decision would require careful coordination to avoid unintended consequences for member states and for Europe’s broader energy security strategy.
Beyond these specific proposals, the Hungarian side reaffirmed a broader position: it would not support EU sanctions that target Russia’s nuclear energy sector, nor those that threaten gas and oil supplies. This stance aligns with a broader debate within the EU about maintaining a stable energy corridor while pursuing sanctions in other sectors. Observers note that Hungary’s energy security considerations are central to its voting behavior and to the bloc’s ability to coordinate a unified approach to Moscow. EU diplomats cautioned that reaching consensus would require concessions and careful interpretation of sectoral impacts on member economies. The conversations continued to reflect a trade-off between punitive measures designed to deter aggressive actions and the practical needs of European energy markets and industrial sovereignty, as explained by officials who monitor the negotiations.