US senators move to sanction Hungary over blocking Ukraine aid.
A bipartisan bill from Shaheen and Tillis would target Hungarian officials with asset freezes and visa bans for obstructing support to Kyiv and buying Russian energy — as Orbán holds up a €90B EU loan, FT. 1/
The “Block Putin Act” is led by Dem. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Sen. Thom Tillis.
It would force Trump to sanction officials tied to Russian oil and gas deals and efforts to block Ukraine support. 2/
The trigger is Budapest’s veto. Orbán is blocking a €90B EU loan to Ukraine ahead of elections where polls show his party trailing by 23 points against Tisza. 3/
Hungary has increased reliance on Russian energy since 2022 — alongside Slovakia — while most of Europe cut imports.
Orbán accuses Kyiv of restricting oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine. 4/
Orbán’s message: “No oil — no money.” He links Ukraine aid to reopening Russian crude transit, tying EU financing directly to energy concessions. 5/
Tillis: “Allies must cut revenue streams fueling Putin’s war.” Shaheen: “No country should get a free pass for enabling Moscow.” 6/
Trump has backed Orbán’s re-election. JD Vance may visit Hungary before the vote — signaling political support amid the dispute. 7X
Source: ft.com/content/35cdef…
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