Hungary threatens veto on EU's 20th Russia sanctions package

Hungary's foreign minister said Budapest will block the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia until Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline resume, and EU foreign ministers are due to meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss the package.

Hungary's foreign minister said Budapest will block the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia until Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline resume. The announcement was posted to social media and linked the decision to halted oil shipments. EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss the proposed package. Oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia have been interrupted since Jan. 27, after what Ukrainian officials say were Russian drone attacks that damaged the Druzhba pipeline. Key points: - Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced Hungary will not consent to the adoption of the 20th sanctions package while oil shipments remain halted. - The EU's 27 member states must reach unanimity for the sanctions to pass, which leaves the package in doubt. - Oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline have been interrupted since Jan. 27 after damage that Ukrainian officials attribute to Russian drone attacks. - Szijjártó also said Hungary would block a proposed 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine. Summary: The Hungarian veto threat leaves the sanctions package uncertain ahead of the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. The next procedural step is that Brussels meeting on Monday; outcomes are undetermined at this time.