Hungary has used its veto power to force the EU to lift sanctions against several individuals from Russia, DPA reported, citing its diplomatic sources, BTA reports.
One of these people is oligarch Vyacheslav Kantor - a majority shareholder in one of the largest Russian fertilizer producers, who also has very close ties to President Vladimir Putin.
In addition, the EU has lifted sanctions imposed on the sister of well-known Russian entrepreneur Alisher Usmanov, as well as on two other individuals.
According to diplomatic sources, Hungary achieved these decisions by threatening to veto the renewal of European sanctions against Russia, which were due to expire tomorrow. the renewal of European sanctions against Russia, which were due to expire tomorrow.
The sanctions packages affect nearly 2,200 individuals and legal entities from Russia.
The extension of the sanctions requires an absolute majority of all 27 member states, with this decision being voted on every six months.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has already stated on several occasions that he believes the EU sanctions against Russia are ineffective. However, it is still unclear why he has threatened to use his veto right now and specifically with regard to these Russian individuals, DPA notes.
In general, European sanctions include travel restrictions, asset freezes and bans on the provision of funds or other economic resources from third countries.
In most cases, the EU imposes sanctions when it considers that Russia is carrying out unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine.
Oligarch Vyacheslav Kantor was initially sanctioned by the EU because of his close ties to Putin, which helped him amass a significant fortune, DPA notes. Kantor has repeatedly expressed his support and friendship for Putin and has maintained good relations with the Kremlin. Kantor was sanctioned after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.