US senators move to sanction Hungary over blocking Ukraine support

Key Points:

• Two U.S. senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis, plan to introduce the bipartisan Block Putin Act to sanction senior Hungarian officials accused of obstructing aid to Ukraine amid tensions over Russian oil supplies.
• The dispute involves the Druzhba pipeline, a key route for Russian crude to Central Europe, which has been offline since a Russian strike in January, pressuring Hungary, heavily reliant on Russian energy.
• Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has blocked new EU sanctions on Russia and a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, actions that the proposed bill aims to penalize with financial sanctions and visa bans.
• The legislation would allow sanctions to be lifted if Hungary commits to ending reliance on Russian energy and stops obstructing Ukraine aid for at least 180 days, with U.S. agencies required to report on any exemptions.
• The bill's passage remains uncertain, with Hungary signaling it will maintain its stance until Russian oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline resumes, while Ukraine works to repair the damaged infrastructure.