Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatened on Friday to block the next rollover of EU sanctions against Russia unless Brussels helps achieve a restart of Russian gas transit via Ukraine, which was halted on Jan.

EU sanctions against Russia are bad, but it's all good when Donald Trump threatens to impose them, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Long reputed to be Russia-friendly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has often railed against the continuation of the EU sanctions, claiming that they impose an intolerable burden on the Hungarian economy and provide no solution for the carnage in Ukraine.

Russia would like to see a resumption in the transit of gas via Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, after the European Commission issued a statement saying it planned to continue talks with Kyiv on natural gas supplies to Europe.

The EU countries have reached a compromise on the extension of anti-Russian sanctions, Hungary is expected to withdraw objections to this decision in exchange for the provision of The EU on Energy security guarantees.

Hungary wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute it has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc’s upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia.

BRUSSELS – Hungary removed its veto on the EU's six-month extension of Russia sanctions on Monday, but it may not be its last standoff. The deal was struck after the EU agreed to issue a joint, non-binding statement by top diplomat Kaja Kallas and the European Commission to support Hungary's energy security at Monday's meeting of foreign ministers.

Hungary has stopped delaying the renewal of European sanctions on Moscow, which may have detrimental consequences on its relationship with Russia.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has declared that Budapest will block the next extension of EU sanctions against Russia unless Ukraine "refrains from measures that harm Hungary’s energy security".

Hungary has quietly expanded its visa program, allowing tens of thousands of Russians and Belarusians to enter the country with minimal security screening. Given Hungary’s membership in the Schengen Zone,

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday that halting Russian gas flows via Ukraine and the resulting rise in costs as users seek