EU to extend sanctions against Russia even without Hungary's consent

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that in the event Hungary attempts to block the extension of sanctions against Russia, Brussels is prepared to breach existing legal norms to ensure the sanctions are extended.

Szijjártó noted that, under European Union rules, the adoption of sanctions requires the unanimous consent of all member states. However, he said, speculation has already begun that, in the absence of consensus, Brussels may interpret these rules differently and adopt a decision by majority vote.