US senators have called for sanctions against Hungary over its position on Ukraine, the Financial Times reports.
According to the publication, two senators from both parties are preparing a bill that would impose restrictions on senior Hungarian officials accused of blocking assistance to Kiev. If adopted, US President Donald Trump would be required to introduce measures, including visa bans for officials allegedly involved in facilitating purchases of Russian energy and obstructing aid to Ukraine.
The bill is expected to be introduced this week. Both senators serve as co-chairs of a NATO monitoring group and have previously criticized Europe’s dependence on Russian oil and gas.
Earlier, Hungary and Slovakia refused to support the final conclusions of an EU summit on Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that Budapest would only back a €90 billion EU loan to Kiev if Ukraine resumes the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
In February, Hungary also halted diesel supplies to Ukraine and blocked the EU loan until oil transit is restored. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said these steps were a response to Kiev’s actions, accusing Ukraine of refusing to resume transit for political reasons in an attempt to trigger an energy crisis and influence domestic politics.
whitehouse.gov