Opinion: Hungary Joins EU Sanctions Against Russia

  • 24 Feb 2022 6:22 AM
  • BudaPost
Opinion: Hungary Joins EU Sanctions Against Russia
As the EU imposes another round of sanctions in response to Russia’s moves in eastern Ukraine, commentators try to make sense of what they see as a partial revival of the Cold War.

In Magyar Nemzet, László Szőcs understands Russia’s security concerns but approves Hungary’s stance in joining the EU sanctions in response to Russia’s move to carve out two districts from Ukraine. Hungary does not believe sanctions are an efficient deterrent, he writes, but as it belongs to the Western world, it has always accepted joint European sanctions – despite allegations to the contrary.

Magyar Hírlap’s Péter G. Fehér sees the current events as the logical consequence of mutual efforts by both the West and the East to expand towards each other. He believes Russia is now strong enough to resist sanctions and predicts that the conflict in eastern Ukraine is just a ‘stop-over’ in a process that will lead the world back to a Cold War.

In his second column on Ukraine in as many days, Népszava’s Miklós Bonta sees President Putin’s moves as prompted by a Soviet-type mentality. He wonders if Russia will stop with what it has conquered, or intends to move further south, towards the Crimea, moreover, he even asks if President Putin is dreaming about occupying the whole of Ukraine. At any rate, he deems the Russian economy insufficiently robust to sustain such expansionism in the long run.

This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher.

Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. 

Click here to Share Your Story

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

BudaPost

Launched in May 2011 to provide a balanced picture of matters covered in Hungary’s national press. Their aim is to make it easier for English-speakers to understand where this country is now and where it’s heading according to the full spectrum of media opinions.

  • New Szijjártó–Lavrov Leaks Fuel Tensions Days Ahead of Hungary’s Election

    New Szijjártó–Lavrov Leaks Fuel Tensions Days Ahead of Hungary’s Election

    • 9 Apr 2026 6:58 AM

    A consortium of European outlets—including VSquare, FRONTSTORY, Delfi Estonia, The Insider, and the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak (ICJK)—has published another batch of leaked phone calls between Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

  • Watch: Europe's Future on the Ballot in Hungary? Orbán in Tight Re-Election Race - FRANCE 24

    Watch: Europe's Future on the Ballot in Hungary? Orbán in Tight Re-Election Race - FRANCE 24

    • 8 Apr 2026 1:11 PM

    Is Europe’s future on the ballot in Hungary? In Budapest, the US vice president is actively stumping for far-right incumbent Viktor Orban who trails in the polls ahead of Sunday’s general election. European politicians sometimes campaign for likeminded peers from neighbouring nations, but in this case, it is the United States openly taking aim at the bloc using the same talking points as Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

  • Orbump Bromance: 'I Love Hungary' & Orbán, Says Donald Trump

    Orbump Bromance: 'I Love Hungary' & Orbán, Says Donald Trump

    • 8 Apr 2026 8:25 AM

    "I love Hungary and that [Prime Minister] Viktor [Orbán]", US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday over the phone at the beginning of US Vice President JD Vance's speech at the Hungarian-American Friendship Day 2026 event at the MTK Sports Hall.