Speaking to Europe Today, Poland's top diplomat accused Budapest of escalating its blockade of a €90bn Ukraine loan and Russia sanctions package, warning that Europe must act decisively as US support falters.
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has accused Hungary of deepening its obstruction of EU support for Ukraine, describing Budapest’s latest move to block a €90 billion loan and fresh sanctions as an “escalation” that favours the Kremlin.
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Speaking to Euronews’ flagship Europe Today morning programme, Sikorski said Hungary had repeatedly chosen energy arrangements that indirectly benefit Moscow.
“Hungary has had plenty of opportunities over the years to do what the rest of Europe has already done,” he said, referring to long-term oil and gas contracts with non-Russian suppliers.
Instead, he argued, Budapest continues to buy directly from Russia, “thereby oiling Putin’s war machine.”
A pattern of vetoes
Sikorski pointed to previous Hungarian blockages, including the suspension of around €7 billion from the European Peace Facility funds intended to reimburse member states that supplied military equipment to Ukraine. Poland was among the beneficiaries awaiting reimbursement.
He also recalled that during Poland’s EU presidency, Warsaw prioritised opening the first accession negotiating cluster with Ukraine, covering democracy and rule of law. Hungary vetoed the move, arguing mistreatment of ethnic minorities in Ukraine.
Kyiv has repeatedly dismissed those claims as unfounded.
“This is an escalation of established practice that favours Russian President Vladimir Putin,” Sikorski said.
Budapest has defended its stance as necessary to protect national interests, particularly in energy security, and has signalled that it will continue to use its veto power if its concerns are not addressed.
Europe’s ‘strong cards’
Asked whether the EU should consider invoking Article 7, the bloc’s mechanism for addressing breaches of core values, Sikorski endorsed the use of specific punitive measures.
He questioned claims that Ukraine was responsible for energy transit disruptions, noting reports that damage to the Druzhba pipeline may have been caused by Russia.
“If so, then it’s a little unfair to blame and to take it out on the Ukrainians, the victims of aggression,” he said.
Sikorski also noted that Hungary’s position must be seen in the context of upcoming national elections, suggesting that a future government could reassess the policy.
With US support for Kyiv increasingly uncertain, Sikorski argued that Europe’s leverage should not be underestimated.
“We have supported Ukraine more than the United States,” he said, adding that Europe is now the principal source of financial and military backing for the Ukrainian state and its armed forces, and that its “cards are quite strong."
The Polish top official also predicted that both Washington and Moscow would eventually have to recognise that European security interests cannot be sidelined.
“Ukraine will make its own decisions based on the support that it has from Europe,” he said. “And therefore, Europe’s view cannot be ignored.”
As the war approaches another critical year, Sikorski insisted that the EU must overcome internal divisions and maintain unity, warning that continued vetoes risk weakening Europe at a pivotal moment for its own security.