Summary

Hungary is expected to back down from its threat to block the EU’s renewal of sanctions on Russia after Donald Trump warned Moscow of harsher penalties if it continues the war in Ukraine.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, critical of sanctions for harming the EU economy, had tied Hungary’s stance to Trump’s approach.

By Thursday, diplomats noted Hungary’s softened rhetoric, signaling likely approval at Friday’s EU meeting.

Blocking the sanctions could release frozen Russian funds and undermine EU energy security, risking repercussions for Hungary’s own EU funding.