U.S. Diplomatic Pressure Prompts Hungary to Support Extended Sanctions on Russia

Hungary, previously resistant to extending European Union sanctions against Russia, has reversed its stance following direct intervention from the United States. According to Politico, a pivotal telephone conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto played a crucial role in this shift. During their discussion, Rubio persuaded Szijjarto to drop Hungary’s plans to block the sanctions package, enabling the EU to maintain a unified front in its pressure against Moscow.

In January, Budapest had threatened to veto the sanctions extension, citing the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president and anticipated shifts in American foreign policy. Hungarian officials have consistently argued that the sanctions jeopardize their energy security, particularly given the country’s reliance on Russian energy supplies. However, after engaging with Rubio, Szijjarto unexpectedly agreed to support a six-month extension of the sanctions, marking a significant departure for a nation that has historically held a unique position within the EU regarding Russia.

Hungary’s decision facilitated the EU’s approval of the latest phase of the sanctions regime, first established in 2014 and regularly updated in response to Russia’s actions. As reported by Bloomberg, the compromise was reached after Budapest received certain guarantees related to its energy supplies, although the specifics of the agreement remain confidential.

This development reflects a broader context of U.S.-European engagement amid a transition in U.S. leadership. Since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, Washington has actively sought to align its policy with that of its allies. A U.S. delegation visited Brussels in early March to discuss sanctions, emphasizing the necessity for coordinated action against Russia, according to Reuters. However, Trump’s previously stated intent to reassess his approach to the conflict in Ukraine has raised concerns in Europe about a potential softening of Washington’s stance.