There is no reason to lift sanctions against the Russian Federation, despite statements by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. After all, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has not changed his goals.

EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaya Kallas announced this on January 17, Barron's reports.. " This is our leverage, and it would be very strange to give it up,” she told reporters.

The politician emphasized: nothing has changed, Putin still has the same goals. “Therefore, there are no grounds for lifting sanctions,” she said.

Let us remind you: the European Union has imposed 15 rounds of sanctions against Moscow since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022.

European politicians must make the next decision on extending economic restrictions by January 31. To do this, all 27 EU member states must give their consent..

However, Orban, one of the closest allies of the elected US leader Donald Trump and a European leader friendly to Russia, refused to vote in favor.. They say that “a new era is beginning” and Brussels must adapt to the changed situation.

“It’s time to throw sanctions out the window and create a system of relations with Russia without sanctions. There is still a long way to go, but we have to work on it. Now the signals from Brussels do not inspire optimism,” he said in an interview with state radio.

Callas, in turn, warned: whatever the negotiations, “we will find ourselves in a much weaker position” if restrictions are lifted prematurely.

“I also don’t think it’s in the United States’ interest to waive sanctions now,” she added..

– In the European Union, according to media reports, they are developing a backup plan in case Orban tries to veto the extension of the sanctions imposed on Russia. An 81-year-old law involving King Philippe of Belgium could be used for this purpose..

– In early January, the United States announced sanctions against a senior member of the Hungarian government, Antal Rogan, who served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Orban. These are measures within the framework of the Global Magnitsky program due to Rogan’s involvement in corruption schemes.