The European Union's chief foreign affairs representative, Kaja Kallasa, expressed regret on Monday regarding Hungary's veto of the EU's efforts to reach an agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia. This veto sends a message that was not intended, although Kallasa emphasized that efforts would continue following discussions at the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Budapest would block the sanctions until the operation of the 'Družba' oil pipeline is restored, which has significant implications due to the pipeline's role in transporting Russian oil through Hungary and Slovakia.

Ukraine has highlighted that the 'Družba' pipeline was damaged during a Russian attack on January 27, which complicates the dynamics of energy supply in the region. The situation has escalated tensions not only within the EU but also between Hungary and Ukraine, with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslav Sikorski accusing the Hungarian government of blackmailing Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. The restrictive measures on Russian diplomacy in the EU have been proposed, with Kallasa announcing a limited presence of Russian diplomatic missions.

The inability of the EU to agree on this latest round of sanctions reflects not only Hungary’s strategic interests but also broader geopolitical tensions. Hungary’s stance may complicate the EU's collective response to Russian aggression and disrupt the solidarity typically exhibited among EU member states. This incident illustrates the challenges faced by the EU in achieving consensus, especially when national interests clash with collective security efforts.