Hungary has reiterated that it will not join any sanctions against the Russian Federation in the nuclear sector, explaining that such measures would run counter to its national interests. The remarks came from Peter Szijjártó, Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign economic relations, during the Atomexpo-2024 forum in Sochi.
Szijjártó noted that while several countries had approached Budapest with questions on the issue, their responses indicated a willingness to forgo sanctions if those penalties would damage their own vital interests. He stressed that sanctions targeting cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy would be detrimental to Hungary and its goals.
The Hungarian foreign minister pointed out that a number of nations had urged Hungary to block sanctions, arguing that such actions would inflict the same harm across the board. He emphasized that Hungary’s position reflects a broader concern about the potential consequences for European energy security and the reliability of nuclear fuel supply chains.
According to Szijjártó, imposing sanctions on Russia’s nuclear sector would be unfair to the European Union, especially given the ongoing cooperation between the United States and Moscow in nuclear-related activities, including the procurement of uranium needed for fuel for nuclear power plants. This practical reality, he argued, should inform any EU-level decisions on sanctions.
Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that there is no realistic scenario in which Russia could be defeated in the proxy conflict that has unfolded with Western involvement. The prime minister underscored the perceived asymmetries of the conflict and the difficulties of achieving a decisive outcome through such means.
In related remarks, Elvira Nabiullina, who previously led Russia’s central bank, referred to sanctions as among the most painful measures imposed on the country. She highlighted the economic and financial pressures that accompany restrictive policies, while also noting the resilience and continuity of Russia’s monetary and financial systems in the face of them.