European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to extend sanctions on Russia over its war against Ukraine after Hungary lifted its opposition to the move.

Hungary has stopped delaying the renewal of European sanctions on Moscow, which may have detrimental consequences on its relationship with Russia.

Before reupping the sanctions, Budapest wanted to wait for Trump's inauguration, then insisted Brussels push Ukraine to reopen a gas pipeline running to Central Europe.

Before relenting, Budapest had threatened to allow billions of dollars to flow back to the Kremlin in a row over energy imports.

Hungary wants the European Union to persuade Ukraine to resume gas transit from Russia to Europe, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday, signalling a tough debate as the EU seeks to extend its sanctions against Russia over the coming week.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she expected the bloc to renew its sanctions on Russia on Monday after Hungary signalled it would stop holding up the move in return for assurances about energy security.

Earlier, Brussels assured Budapest of providing energy security guarantees, including the commitment to seek Ukraine’s resumption of transit of Russian gas, to prevent the disruption of transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline,

Hungary has never supported the sanctions policy, though it has not vetoed it either to avoid undermining the EU’s unity, the Hungarian prime minister noted

Hungarians risk jeopardizing a special relationship with the US if they vote out Prime Minister Viktor Orban in elections next year, said US President Donald Trump’s former envoy to Budapest.Trump and Orban have forged a close bond,

Officials in Brussels are considering returning to purchasing Russian gas through the EU, "Financial Times" reports, citing people familiar with EU negotiations. This would be part of a potential agreement that could end Russia's war against Ukraine.

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