Hungarian FM Says EU 'stabbed its economy in the heart' With Russia Sanctions
Brussels' sanctions against Moscow are increasingly perceived as “ridiculous” and “harmful” to the European Union, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in a recent interview with RTN. Szijjarto pointed out that the sanctions...
TroibNews 
Brussels' sanctions against Moscow are increasingly perceived as “ridiculous” and “harmful” to the European Union, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in a recent interview with RTN.
Szijjarto pointed out that the sanctions imposed on Russia have significantly backfired against the EU economy and have only intensified in their “ridiculous” and “harmful” nature with each new package. He emphasized that these sanctions have failed to achieve their intended goals of destabilizing Russia’s economy and resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Since the escalation of hostilities in February 2022, the EU has enacted 16 packages of sanctions against Russia. While Hungary has generally supported these measures, the nation has also sought exemptions, particularly concerning the oil embargo and limitations on the nuclear sector. Both Budapest and Moscow, along with various international observers, have claimed that these sanctions have adversely affected the countries that imposed them.
Szijjarto remarked, “The EU has basically stabbed the European economy in the heart by the sanctions,” asserting that such measures have diminished the EU’s competitiveness and isolated the bloc. He pointed out that despite the evident failures of this strategy, Brussels is now approaching a 17th round of sanctions, suggesting that the continuation of this approach “made no sense.”
Reflecting on the passage of time since the initial sanctions, he stated, “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 criticized Brussels for persisting in imposing new restrictions driven by anti-Russian “ideology,” describing the situation as “becoming unserious, ridiculous, and really harmful.” Szijjarto made it clear that Hungary would oppose any future sanctions that could jeopardize its national interests. He also expressed concerns over the EU's increasing militarization and ongoing plans to supply weapons to Ukraine, cautioning that such actions “prolong the war” and heighten the risk of escalation.
“This pro-war sentiment of the European leaders is really, really dangerous,” Szijjarto warned. He voiced a clear expectation for leaders not to impede the peace process and referred to potential negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as vital for making a peace agreement.
Currently, Russia and the US are engaged in discussions about a ceasefire in the conflict, with Trump previously suggesting that sanctions on Russia could be leverage in the negotiations. Meanwhile, Putin has dismissed the idea that Western sanctions are temporary, asserting that they serve as a means of applying “systemic, strategic” pressure on Russia. Moscow has consistently criticized the sanctions as illegal yet has observed that they have ultimately strengthened domestic industry and reduced reliance on Western technologies.
Thomas Evans contributed to this article for TROIB News
Szijjarto pointed out that the sanctions imposed on Russia have significantly backfired against the EU economy and have only intensified in their “ridiculous” and “harmful” nature with each new package. He emphasized that these sanctions have failed to achieve their intended goals of destabilizing Russia’s economy and resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Since the escalation of hostilities in February 2022, the EU has enacted 16 packages of sanctions against Russia. While Hungary has generally supported these measures, the nation has also sought exemptions, particularly concerning the oil embargo and limitations on the nuclear sector. Both Budapest and Moscow, along with various international observers, have claimed that these sanctions have adversely affected the countries that imposed them.
Szijjarto remarked, “The EU has basically stabbed the European economy in the heart by the sanctions,” asserting that such measures have diminished the EU’s competitiveness and isolated the bloc. He pointed out that despite the evident failures of this strategy, Brussels is now approaching a 17th round of sanctions, suggesting that the continuation of this approach “made no sense.”
Reflecting on the passage of time since the initial sanctions, he stated, “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 criticized Brussels for persisting in imposing new restrictions driven by anti-Russian “ideology,” describing the situation as “becoming unserious, ridiculous, and really harmful.” Szijjarto made it clear that Hungary would oppose any future sanctions that could jeopardize its national interests. He also expressed concerns over the EU's increasing militarization and ongoing plans to supply weapons to Ukraine, cautioning that such actions “prolong the war” and heighten the risk of escalation.
“This pro-war sentiment of the European leaders is really, really dangerous,” Szijjarto warned. He voiced a clear expectation for leaders not to impede the peace process and referred to potential negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as vital for making a peace agreement.
Currently, Russia and the US are engaged in discussions about a ceasefire in the conflict, with Trump previously suggesting that sanctions on Russia could be leverage in the negotiations. Meanwhile, Putin has dismissed the idea that Western sanctions are temporary, asserting that they serve as a means of applying “systemic, strategic” pressure on Russia. Moscow has consistently criticized the sanctions as illegal yet has observed that they have ultimately strengthened domestic industry and reduced reliance on Western technologies.
Thomas Evans contributed to this article for TROIB News
