Hungary's latest veto of EU sanctions against Russia has reignited discussions among EU foreign ministers regarding potential legal retaliatory measures against Budapest. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó dismissed the criticism, labeling the sanctions as a "Brussels pre-election conspiracy," suggesting that the EU's efforts to penalize Russia are politically motivated rather than based on solidarity. The veto comes at a symbolic time, being just one day before the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine, highlighting Hungary's controversial stance within the EU context.

In response to Hungary's actions, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski expressed shock, asserting that Hungary violates the principle of European solidarity mandated by the Lisbon Treaty. He pointed out that such actions could justify legal countermeasures against Hungary, a sentiment echoed by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys. Budrys suggested that the EU could invoke Article 7 of the EU Treaty to address Hungary's veto by suspending its voting rights, emphasizing a need to tackle the growing discontent within the Union regarding Hungary's compliance.

The European Commission has reiterated the potential for further action against Hungary, including the threat of restricting funds. This ongoing debate reflects the EU's internal tensions about collective foreign policy and highlights the challenges of maintaining unity in times of crisis, especially regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine and the implications of individual member states' decisions on the broader EU framework and its solidarity in addressing external threats.