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".

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.

Before reupping the sanctions, Budapest wanted to wait for Trump's inauguration, then insisted Brussels push Ukraine to reopen a gas pipeline running to Central Europe.

The European Union has agreed to prolong for 6 months a raft of sanctions aimed at depriving Russia of funds to finance its war against Ukraine.

The European Union is expected to renew its sanctions on Russia following assurances about energy security from Hungary, which had previously stalled the process. The sanctions, vital for maintaining pressure on Russia over Ukraine,

European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to extend sanctions on Russia over its war against Ukraine after Hungary lifted its opposition to the move.

The European Union will moved forward with a renewal on Russian sanctions after a deal was struck with Hungary, according to multiple reports.

Following a potentially meaningless declaration from the European Commission on Monday that the E.U. will continue talking to Kyiv about “the supply to Europe through the gas pipeline system in Ukraine,

The European Union renewed its sanctions on Russia for another six months after Hungary received energy security assurances. Despite initial resistance, Hungary supported the decision, which prevents Moscow from financing its war efforts.