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Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told RT that Brussels’ restrictions against Moscow are increasingly “ridiculous” and “harmful” to the EU.
Szijjarto stated in an RT interview that sanctions against Russia have backfired, harming the EU economy and becoming increasingly “ridiculous” and “harmful” with each new package.
He reiterated that the EU’s measures have failed to destabilize the Russian economy or end the conflict in Ukraine.
The EU has adopted 16 sanction packages against Russia since February 2022. Hungary, while critical, has backed each round after securing exemptions, including for oil and nuclear sectors. Budapest, Moscow, and many international observers agree that the restrictions have negatively impacted those who imposed them.
“The EU has basically stabbed the European economy in the heart by the sanctions,” Szijjarto told RT. He claimed the sanctions have damaged the EU’s competitiveness and isolated the bloc. He added that Brussels is planning a 17th round despite the strategy’s obvious failure, which he believes “made no sense.”
“We are three years after the first package. Russian economy is far from being on its knees. And we are now close to peace, but not because of the sanctions,” he stated.
Szijjarto described Brussels’ continued imposition of restrictions for the sake of anti-Russian “ideology” as “becoming unserious, ridiculous, and really harmful.”
He stated that Budapest has “made it very clear” that it will not support future sanctions that endanger Hungary’s national interests. He also voiced concerns about the EU’s growing militarization and continued weapon supplies to Ukraine, which he warned “prolong the war” and increase the risk of escalation.
“This pro-war sentiment of the European leaders is really, really dangerous,” Szijjarto warned. “Our clear expectation is that they should not put obstacles in the way of the peace process… in the way of [US President Donald] Trump and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin negotiating about how to make an agreement and how to make peace here.”
Russia and the US are reportedly negotiating a ceasefire. Trump previously suggested sanctions on Russia could be used as leverage in negotiations.
Putin has rejected the idea that Western sanctions are temporary, stating they are a “systemic, strategic” tool of pressure on Russia. Moscow has repeatedly condemned the measures as illegal, while also noting that the restrictions have boosted domestic industry and reduced reliance on Western technologies.